With Hurricane Arthur Nudging NJ Coast, July 4th Is No Beach Day
By Brad Segall
SEA ISLE CITY, N.J. (CBS) -- The outer bands of Hurricane Arthur were moving through Delaware and the South Jersey shore this morning, as the storm heads northeast.
Hopeful beachgoers were feeling the effects of the storm early this morning, with both rain and winds increasing in intensity as the storm passed well off shore. The surf was deceptively normal, with higher waves expected later in the day and over the weekend.
The inclement weather didn't deter a few hardy runners and bicyclists out on the boardwalk for their morning exercise, but few if any ventured into the ocean, where there were warnings of dangerous rip currents. The weather was expected to improve for both Saturday and Sunday.
Charles Dalrymple, who owns and card and gift shop in Sea Isle City, says the bad weather is actually good for him.
"They'll do gift shopping," he says of vacationers. "If they can get up on the promenade they will definitely shop up there -- it's more of a shopping day than a beach day."
Many shore communities have postponed their Independence Day parades and fireworks displays until later in the weekend because of all the rain (see related listing).