Environment & Weather

Flooding From Coastal Storm Detours Traffic on Barrier Island

by
Daniel Nee
December 19, 2023

A coastal storm exited the Shore area by mid-to-late afternoon Monday, however flood waters left over from the system’s tidal surge remained trapped on local streets on the barrier island, with Route 35 traffic still being diverted by 8 p.m. A video chronicling local flood conditions is embedded above. (Note: some ad blocking software may interfere with the video player.)

Local beaches saw waves as high as 10-feet reach beach entrances, though a cursory survey of local beaches by a reporter did not show significant erosion beyond what had already been left over from a similar storm that rolled through a week ago. Shorebeat will follow up on beach conditions Tuesday.

Flooding as a result of the Dec. 18, 2023 coastal storm at the Jersey Shore. (Photo: Shorebeat)

At a meeting of the Lavallette council Monday night, residents said some homes experienced flooding – mainly along the bayfront – and residents on the bayside in Seaside Park were effectively locked into their streets all day. Roads were impassable west of Route 35 in Seaside Park, and Bayview Avenue was completely under water. Seaweed and other debris washed up from storm drains and Christmas decorations, pieces of wood and garbage can holders had been carried into the streets by the flood waters.

Some docks were under water, including those in Seaside Heights at the borough’s Sunset Park bay beach.

A coastal flood advisory was due to end late Monday night, though higher-than-usual tides were expected to linger into Tuesday.

Flooding as a result of the Dec. 18, 2023 coastal storm at the Jersey Shore. (Photo: Shorebeat)

“Please continue to heed any remaining road closures as excessive runoff from rainfall may continue to result in flooding of some roadways in low-lying areas,” a statement from the National Weather Service said.

Better weather is quickly on the way. According to the NWS forecast, Tuesday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 43. But it will be breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 m.p.h. Fortunately, the west wind is likely to push much of the trapped water out of the bay, alleviating the flooding situation.