Shore Environment

Wind, Waves Whipped Up as Coastal Storm Moves Into Ocean County

by
Daniel Nee
January 9, 2024

A coastal storm that will unleash the height of its fury under the darkness night moved into the Shore area on Tuesday, with a combination of wind and heavy rain beginning in earnest about 4 p.m. The video embedded above shows some initial scenes of waves, beach erosion and limited flooding that had begun to affect the area. (Note: some ad blocking software may interfere with the video player.)

Though, by nightfall, flooding had only just started to emerge, towns had “street closed” signs at the ready, and power trucks drove down Route 35 in Brick Township, with a few more stationed in Point Pleasant, poised to jump into action should high winds bring down trees.

A storm moves into Ocean County, Jan. 9, 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Strong waves began whipping up in the ocean all afternoon, with the surf becoming heavier toward sunset. Sand was beginning to erode.

A flood warning, high wind warning, and coastal flood warning were all in effect Tuesday night, all due to expire early Wednesday morning.

A storm moves into Ocean County, Jan. 9, 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)

Winds gusts were forecast to reach 65 m.p.h. overnight, with the flood risk highly elevated.

“A period of higher hourly rainfall rates is possible tonight which would enhance the potential for flooding, particularly in the urban areas,” a warning statement from the National Weather Service said. “Tidal inundation combined with runoff in coastal areas may significantly elevate the flood risk, especially if occurring during times of high tide.”

A storm moves into Ocean County, Jan. 9, 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)

The storm, fortunately, is expected to move through quickly. On Wednesday, the NWS is predicting a chance of showers, mainly before 9 a.m., with skies becoming partly sunny, with a high near 49. It will be breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 m.p.h., with gusts as high as 35 m.p.h.