New Jersey coastal towns keeping an eye on potential effects of Hermine
ASBURY PARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Tropical storm warnings that were issued for shore towns as Hermine headed toward the state were lifted Monday, but forecasters still warned of dangerously high seas.
The National Hurricane Center said waves as high as 10 to 14 feet were possible.
The tropical storm warnings for Jersey shore towns were replaced Monday morning by a coastal flood advisory, which was scheduled to remain in effect until 5 a.m. Tuesday.
Gov. Chris Christie announced Sunday night that Island Beach State Park will re-open for Labor Day, but officials warn there is plenty of concern for flooding in the coastal towns, so emergency management teams are taking extra precautions.
With possible coastal flooding topping the list of concerns in Seaside Heights, first responders have been checking all of the vulnerable points multiple times a day non-stop.
Their first stop? The beach by the end of the boardwalk - the first point of entry for coastal flooding.
"We built dunes during the week, and what we did with the other sand here, we just pushed it up to the boardwalk," said OEM Coordinator Bill Hibell.
As for Seaside Heights Fire Department Water Rescue Captain Tim Farrell, also on his mind is what could happen in the next few days. He says most rescue calls come in right before and after the storm moves out.
"Once this pushes off shore, the skies are gonna open up, it's gonna be beautiful, but we're still going to have dangerous conditions," Farrell says.
If Seaside Heights calls for an evacuation, the residents living by Barnegat Bay would be the first to go.
High tide passed about 10 p.m. Sunday night. The ocean made it almost to the boardwalk, just before the dunes.
However, for many people, there is a sense of relief that the holiday weekend was not a complete washout.
Forecasters said minor coastal flooding was anticipated during the evening high tide cycles Monday. Strong winds also were expected throughout the day, with sustained winds of about 20 to 30 mph and gusts reaching as high as 40 mph.
Big waves and churning surf up to the base of dunes were reported in some areas of the state that were hit hard by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, including the Ocean County communities of Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, Mantoloking and Brick. But no flooding or other damage was reported in those areas.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
