By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
A tropical storm churning up the coast is expected to lash the Cape May County beach resorts with high winds, heavy rain and flash flooding on Friday, according to the forecast from the National Weather Service.
The low-pressure system strengthened to become Tropical Storm Fay. It is moving up from North Carolina’s Outer Banks and will drench the Jersey Coast with up to 3 or 4 inches of rain starting Thursday night into Friday afternoon, forecasters say.
Shortly after 5 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning for Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties. As it clips the coast, the storm is expected to pack sustained winds of 30 to 35 mph and gusts up to 45 mph or higher.
“Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force,” the Sea Isle City Police Department said in a weather alert. “Last minute efforts to protect property should now be complete. The area remains subject to limited wind damage. Now is the time to shelter from hazardous wind.”
Forecasters warned in a tweet that there is also “an elevated risk for the development of dangerous rip currents” at the Jersey Shore.
Although flash flooding is expected, it is likely to be minor. However, heavier rain could produce even more significant flooding that could pose problems for vacationers not familiar with coastal storms, according to the National Weather Service.
“With an onshore flow, minor tidal flooding is possible at the times of high tide at all locations (along the Atlantic coast and Delaware Bay) from late Thursday through Friday,” the weather service said in statement. “Heavy rain coincident with the high tide could cause more significant flooding issues, especially for visitors/vacationers unfamiliar with tidal flooding.”
The weather alert from the Sea Isle Police Department tells residents and visitors that their emergency plans should include the potential for localized flooding from heavy rain.
“Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. Heed any flood watches and warnings,” the alert says.
Rain is expected to arrive late Thursday and continue through Friday afternoon, but some showers could linger into Saturday morning.
