Jersey Shore Faces Rough Surf, Coastal Flooding From Jose
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — The surf remains rough along the New Jersey shore and there's a chance for some coastal flooding because of Hurricane Jose. But the strong winds associated with the storm are well off the coast.
A high surf advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday and a coastal flood warning is posted until 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Tracking Jose: Forecast | Alerts | Radar
Wave heights off the coast could build to 15 feet, while breaking waves along the coast are expected to reach 8 to 10 feet. A high risk for rip currents continues.
Minor flooding is expected during the morning high tide and moderate flooding is anticipated during the evening. Widespread roadway flooding is expected and minor property damage is possible.
The Jersey shore was already seeing damage early Tuesday, where strong waves and high winds damaged a pier in Belmar.
"This morning we woke up to damage to our fishing pier that was rebuilt after Sandy because of the wave action caused from Jose," Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty told 1010 WINS.
Later in the day, Doherty tweeted a picture of ocean water covering part of the beach in the seaside Monmouth County town.
Flooding also covered some roads in Middletown, where one car was seen submerged.
On Monday, Drone Force 2 was above the action in Sea Bright where workers were raking sand and creating dunes.
"Concerning to say the least," Sea Bright Business General Manager Michael Norris said. "We went through Sandy obviously, it's always in the back of your mind."
Meanwhile Tuesday in Milford, Connecticut, residents were remembering the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.
As WCBS 880's Sean Adams reported, 4,000 homes in Milford are in low-lying areas near the water.
Mayor Ben Blake said he doesn't expect Jose to be a monster storm, but emergency responders are on standby.
"Twelve-o-clock noon on Wednesday is probably going to be the time that we're going to be most concerned, because that's going to be high tide, and we're preparing for that," he told Adams. "Again, it all depends on how much fill gets into the Long Island Sound and how much wind there's going to be."
Blake urged residents to move their cars and secure outdoor items, adding that Milford is stronger since Sandy and some homes have been elevated.
The city is working on drainage, pumps, breakwaters and a micro grid to keep the lights on for essential services.
Jose remained a Category 1 hurricane in the Atlantic Tuesday as it whipped up dangerous surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast. It was about 335 miles south-southwest of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and had top sustained winds of 75 mph.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
