Coastal Flood Warning for Monmouth County until Monday evening

At 3:55 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning, effective from 5:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m. Monday for Monmouth County.

The weather service says: “Flooding of up to one foot above ground level is expected in low-lying areas near coasts and tidal waterways.”

“At this level, widespread flooding will occur in coastal and bay communities and along inland waters. Many roads will become impassable. Damage to sensitive buildings may occur. Surf riptides can carry even the best swimmers away from shore and into deeper waters,” the weather service explains. “Take necessary measures to protect buildings at risk of flooding. If you must move, do not drive around barriers or through waters of unknown depth. Swim near a lifeguard. If you get caught in a surf riptide, relax and let yourself drift. Do not swim against the current. If possible, swim in a direction that follows the shoreline. If you cannot escape, turn toward shore and call or wave for help.”

Your guide to weather alerts: advisories, observations and warnings

• Flash flood warning: take action!

A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or is already occurring. In areas at risk of flooding, it is important to get to higher ground immediately. A flash flood is a sudden and severe flood that can develop within minutes to hours and can occur even in areas where there is currently no rainfall.

• Flood warning: take action!

A flood warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

• Flood warning: Please note:

A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is not expected to reach a level of severity that would warrant a warning. However, such a warning may cause significant inconvenience and, if ignored, may result in situations threatening life and/or property.

• Flood warning: Be prepared:

A flood warning is issued when conditions are favourable for flooding. It does not guarantee that flooding will occur, but indicates that the possibility exists.

In case of flooding: Advice from the weather service for your protection

Flooding can pose a significant threat, especially if you live in a flood-prone area or are camping in a low-lying region. To ensure your safety, the Weather Service offers important flood safety guidelines:

Find higher ground:

If you are in a flood-prone area or camping in a low-lying area, the first step is to move to higher ground.

Follow the evacuation instructions:

If local authorities issue an evacuation order, obey it immediately. Secure your home by locking it before leaving.

Disconnect utilities and equipment:

If time permits, unplug your utilities and appliances. This precaution will minimize electrical hazards during flooding.

Avoid basements and flooded areas:

Avoid basements or rooms in contact with water where there are electrical outlets or cables. Preventing electrical accidents is crucial.

Fast evacuation for your safety:

If you notice sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, popping or banging noises, leave the area immediately. Avoid water that may be live.

Avoid entering flood water:

Never attempt to walk through flood water. Even 15 cm of fast-flowing water can sweep you off your feet with full force.

Seek higher ground if you are trapped:

If you become trapped in running water, go to the highest possible point and call 911.

During heavy rain, the risk of flooding increases, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas. It is important to avoid driving through water on the road, even if it appears shallow. According to the weather service, most cars can be swept away by just 30 cm of water. Your safety comes first by staying informed and prepared.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service from United Robots that uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.