Sandy Makes Landfall At The Jersey Shore
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Sandy made landfall along the coast of South Jersey on Monday evening at about 6 p.m. with 90 MPH winds.
"This storm is HISTORIC," said CBS 3 meteorologist Katie Fehlinger on her Twitter page.
The National Hurricane Center issued a powerful warning stating, "Sandy expected to bring life-threatening storm surge and coastal hurricane winds plus heavy Appalachian snows."
"This is the worst-case scenario," said Louis Uccellini, NOAA.
In New Jersey, the dunes were breached in many shore towns and Atlantic City seems to be among the hardest hit.
Gov. Chris Christie said during an evening news conference that some people are stranded in Atlantic City and he's blaming the mayor for not setting up shelters inland. The stranded are staying in shelters on the barrier island. The governor said anyone left on the island will have to ride out the storm until Tuesday as rescue operations have been suspended until daylight.
READ: Governor Christie Blames Atlantic City Mayor For Strandings
Atlantic City is now under a curfew and no one will be allowed on the streets through 6 a.m. Tuesday.
In Ocean City, New Jersey, officials say the Ocean met the bay.
"We've never seen anything like it," said one official.
Governor Christie said Monday that as conditions worsen anyone who stayed along the coast to ride out the storm is "now in harm's way."
PHOTOS: Sandy Slams The Tri-State
"I read some joker in the newspaper...saying he's never run away from one of these [storms]. Well, you might end up under it...this is not a time to be stupid," said Christie.
The governor urged residents to stay off the roads, use caution and heed warnings.
He also had a warning regarding the nearly 400,000 in his state without power.
"If you do not have power, please do not choose today to tap into your creative juices and jerry-rig a [power source]," said Christie. "If it looks stupid, it is stupid."
Flooding has prompted closure of 63 miles of the Garden State Parkway in both directions from Exit 38 at the Atlantic City Express to the toll road's southern end in Cape May County.
Mandatory evacuations have been in place for the barrier islands of the Jersey Shore and many fleeing residents have taken up shelter in-land.
President Obama, in anticipation of this wide-spread damage, signed an emergency declaration for the Garden State allowing the state to request federal funding and other assistance for action in the after-math of this life-threatening storm.
As the storm batters the coast, DC is taking a hit. To get updates on the capitol area, Listen LIVE to WNEW Radio.
Stay with CBSPhilly.com, CBS3 Eyewitness News, and KYW Newsradio 1060 for the latest on this dangerous storm.
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