By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Mike Jargowsky, Sea Isle City’s coordinator of emergency management, called it the “trifecta” of winter storms.
There was rain, followed by heavy snow. Minor to moderate flooding also added to everyone’s misery Monday during the first winter storm of 2022.
“We’ve got the trifecta here with snow, rain and flooding. Actually, we’ve had rain, sleet, snow and flooding,” he said while adding a fourth element to the storm. “We’ve had the whole gamut.”
The initial forecast called for between 4 and 6 inches of heavy snow at the shore, but Jargowsky said accumulations in Sea Isle could reach 6 to 8 inches or more, depending on the track of the nor’easter as it swept along the coast.
The National Weather Service increased its snowfall projections in South Jersey, warning that some areas could get slammed with a foot to 18 inches of snow before the storm wrapped up by late Monday afternoon or early evening.
In Sea Isle, wind gusts of between 35 mph and 40 mph punctuated the storm, but Jargowsky said the blustery conditions didn’t seem to be that bad.
A blanket of snow on the beaches and dunes created a picturesque winter scene, along with white-capped waves breaking on the shoreline.
The morning high tide caused some minor to moderate flooding along low-lying streets. The roads became snow-covered as the storm intensified later in the morning and afternoon. Snowplows responded to clear the streets.
Another round of minor to moderate flooding is expected Tuesday during the high tide at around 9:30 a.m.
“Normal spots have flooded. It wasn’t too bad. Hopefully, it will be the same with the flooding (Tuesday),” Jargowsky said of the possibility of only minor flooding.
Because of scheduling interruptions caused by the storm, curbside trash and recycling collection in Sea Isle will be two days later than normal. For instance, Monday’s trash collection will be pushed back until Wednesday and Tuesday’s pickup will happen on Thursday.
The city’s trash and recycling center at the base of the Sea Isle Boulevard bridge will be open on Tuesday from 7:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. If there is flooding around the trash center at high tide, residents are urged to return later in the day.
