Winds that gusted to near 50 m.p.h. made for an interesting start to the work week Monday. Barnegat Bay looked more like the ocean (while the ocean itself was eerily calm, given the westerly direction).
The “casualties” of the late February lion-like day included numerous utility poles that had been moved out of position, swells that smashed against bulkheads on the bay and traffic lights that sometimes flickered as power went in and out. At Manasquan Inlet, the current raced from the river into the ocean in an extreme blowout tide.
In Brick Township, recycling day in the northern portion of town sent not only bottles and cans – but entire 90 gallon robocans – rolling down streets. On Point View Road, a utility pole half-collapsed, with wires hanging low over the street. Police were blocking the road as of 7:30 p.m. while crews made repairs.
According to the National Weather Service, wind gusts of 40 m.p.h. were forecast to continue overnight. Winds Tuesday were expected to be calmer, coming from the northwest at 14-18 m.p.h., with clouds rolling in as part of a wintry mix (producing little to no accumulating snow) predicted to move in Wednesday.
