January 22, 2016
Several municipalities along the New Jersey shore have issued evacuation notices as the coastal communities prepare for a blizzard expected to bring high winds and result in major coastal flooding.
Barnegat Township, Ocean County issued a mandatory evacuation notice for all residents living between the Barnegat Municipal Bathing Beach and the East Bay Avenue Bridge. Residents must evacuate the area no later than 10 p.m. Friday.
Officials in Brick Township, Little Egg Harbor, Tom's River and Tuckerton Borough, all located in Ocean County, issued voluntary evacuation notices. Manasquan, Monmouth County also issued a voluntary evacuation notice.
Tuckerton Borough recommended all residents in the Tuckerton Beach area evacuate no later than 5 p.m. Flooding is expected to make South Green Street impassable. The road will be closed to non-residents at 5 p.m.
Officials in Brick Township, Little Egg Harbor and Tom's River simply encouraged any residents living in low-lying areas to evacuate before the storm hits.
Officials in Ocean City, Cape May County encouraged residents to move vehicles from areas that historically experience tidal flooding. They asked residents to remove any loose items on their properties and urged contractors to secure job sites.
Manasquan issued a voluntary evacuation for residents living within the borough's Tier 1 flood zone. Residents are encouraged to leave the area Friday night and refrain from returning until mid-day Sunday.
#Manasquan Voluntary Evacuation Area pic.twitter.com/2XxcpI7zYw
— Manasquan Borough (@ManasquanOEM) January 22, 2016
The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood and High Wind warnings along the coast. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph are expected to exacerbate high tides resulting from Saturday's full moon.
While much of Southeastern Pennsylvania and inland New Jersey are expected to get a 12 to 18 inches of snowfall, coastal regions only are expected to accumulations closer to 10 inches.
