Atlantic City Fire Department Preparing For Storm Expected To Bring Significant Coastal Flooding To Jersey Shore
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) -- There is a concern for significant coastal flooding along the Jersey Shore. CBS3's Matt Petrillo was in Atlantic City as they prepare for the storm to move through the region.
High tide in Atlantic City was around 4 p.m. and Friday marks the ninth anniversary of Superstorm Sandy hitting the region.
The Atlantic City Fire Department is now better equipped to handle storms.
They have a five-ton military-grade truck called a "high water vehicle." They are deployed in Atlantic City anytime there's potential flooding.
"With Hurricane Sandy, we realize we need better and bigger equipment to be able to respond in emergencies and flood-prone areas," Atlantic City Fire Department Chief Scott Evans.
If you see one of the vehicles in Atlantic City you might see Cpt. Robert Gragg behind the wheel. He took CBS3 for a ride.
It's nothing like driving a car and Gragg says it's "pretty large and cumbersome."
He also calls the vehicle vital to water rescue.
"In one post-Sandy flood, I believe we did about 56 in a matter of six to seven hours. There was water up to the top of the tires," Gragg said.
The fire department also has flat bottom boats and other resources to respond in when there are floodwaters.
Atlantic City Electric is urging people to keep an eye out for any downed wires. While they are concerned about power outages, there are hundreds of personnel standing by to handle the storm.
"Our crews are committed to restoring power to our customers as quickly and safely as possible and our crews will continue to work around the clock to restore that power to our customers," Atlantic City Electric Spokesperson Amber Burreuzo said. "Keep an eye out for any outages or downed wires. We need our customers to be able to report that to us. They can call us to report an outage or down wires."
Neighborhoods in Atlantic City, like the area at Fairmount and California Avenues, looked to have several inches accumulating on the road around 5 p.m.
Officials say part of what's causing the flooding is the ground is already saturated. It's still wet from the storm that rolled through the region just a few days ago.
CBS3 found children trying to cross North Texas Avenue by Fairmount Avenue Friday. The water was almost knee-deep for them.
This afternoon we went down to the beach here in Atlantic City and found very choppy surf and sand flying in the air from the strong wind.
