Gov. Christie: Some Effects Of Hermine May Last Through Wednesday
MORRISTOWN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie made an appearance in Morristown Sunday afternoon to give an update on the state's preparedness for upcoming Tropical Storm Hermine.
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The governor said a state of emergency remains in effect for Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties, where moderate flooding and high winds are expected.
"We still expect in our three southernmost counties, where we did declare a state of emergency, Cape May, Atlantic and Ocean counties, that we will still have moderate flooding starting later today -- later today into tomorrow, because of the slow-moving nature of the storm," Christie said in an appearance on "Face the Nation" before the press conference.
Christie also said to expect to see some significant beach erosion, with strong rip tides throughout the weekend, with some effect of the storm lingering through until as late as Wednesday.
The backdrop to Sunday's sunny and seemingly perfect end of summer was rough waves and red flags as a tell tell sign the water is dangerous. The beaches were closed because of life threatening rip currents, CBS2's Jessica Layton reported.
"The other thing we can't be sure of, obviously, is tracking," Christie said.
According to Christie, damage is dependent on the path of the storm as it continues its march northward. If the storm continues to track east, as it has been, the impact will be less significant than if it were to track west closer to the shore.
"But, so far, unless it makes a turn back west, which these storms always can do, unless that happens, I think that we are going to look at moderate flooding, rather than a very severe impact," Christie said on "Face the Nation."
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"We are on the job and we are watching how things are going," Christie said. "...We're prepared if things wobble west, if it increases to a hurricane from a tropical storm, were prepared for that too."
Christie also told residents that though the storm is a concern, it is "certainly not Sandy." He said there is no need to evacuate New Jersey's barrier islands as of Saturday afternoon, 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported.
Although there seemed to be no issues with inclement weather early Sunday, Christie warned residents to not be "lulled" by the sunny skies and pleasant weather, urging caution to beach goers and swimmers.
"Please keep an eye on your local news broadcasts, who will continue to update you," Christie said.
Beach erosion is expected to be the biggest long-term issue as a result of this storm, WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron reported.
On Sunday evening, Christie ordered Island Beach State Park be reopened for Labor Day, Sept. 5, following his latest briefing on the impacts of Hermine, which remains classified as a tropical storm but is moving further east and is expected to bring little or no rain to many beach areas.
"Park visitors must still be mindful that rip currents and rough surf may still require that no one be able to go swimming, but if we are going to have a sunny day, people should be able to enjoy walking or sitting on the beach," Christie said.