Severe flooding has struck the Jersey Shore following a deluge of heavy rainfall, with videos circulating online showcasing the extent of the damage. The torrential downpour, which began overnight and continued into Sunday morning, has left several South Jersey shore towns submerged under water. Meteorologist Andrew Kozak reported that thunderstorms dumped between 2-6 inches of rain along the shore, with more severe weather anticipated for Sunday afternoon and evening.
In Margate, video footage shared with CBS News Philadelphia by photographer HughE Dillon depicted cars navigating through a flooded North Essex Avenue. The city’s police department took to Facebook to advise drivers against crossing flooded roads and provided a list of flood-prone areas to avoid. They emphasized, “If you see any barricades up, please do not drive past them.” Several intersections on Winchester Avenue in Margate were inundated, necessitating the towing of two cars from the high water.
Jillian Hauser, a visitor from Pittsburgh, expressed her concern about her SUV, which was partially submerged. “The first thing I did was I came out and I was like, ‘Uh, my car is buried in water.’ It was past my lugnuts,” she recounted. Fortunately, Hauser managed to retrieve her car without any issues. Residents, however, were not entirely surprised by the flooding, noting that it is a common occurrence during storms. “You got to keep an eye on the weather, gotta keep an eye on the tides,” said Jack Willard, a Margate resident. “We know if it’s gonna be a storm to park a little further west.”
In Ocean City, the flooding was equally severe. Videos shared on social media showed a pickup truck driver pulling a partially submerged sedan out of a flooded road. Some residents were even seen paddle boarding along the flooded streets. At 24th Street in Ocean City, parts of the road were closed to traffic due to flooding. Brian King, from Mullica Hill, mentioned that while the home they were staying in was unaffected, a friend visiting them had their car stuck in the floodwaters. “There’s about two inches on the floor that we were able to bail out, but yeah, it’s not starting, unfortunately,” King said.
In Sea Isle, the breakfast and lunch restaurant Steak Out shared videos of submerged streets and sidewalks. The main threats with the ongoing storms include damaging winds, heavy rain that could lead to more flash flooding, and the possibility of an isolated tornado. The storms are expected to hit South Jersey between 6-10 p.m. The NEXT Weather team will continue to monitor the severe weather as it poses a threat to the Delaware Valley.
The impact of the storm was not limited to New Jersey. Ophelia, now a post-tropical cyclone, has left nearly nine million people from Long Island to Southern Maryland under coastal flood alerts. The National Weather Service warned that the flooding could be significant enough to close roads and threaten homes and businesses in some areas. Ophelia made landfall in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, with winds of 70 mph, causing power outages, flooding coastal streets, and necessitating rescues. States of emergency were declared in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland.
As Ophelia weakened and moved up the East Coast, it continued to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the mid-Atlantic region. In Atlantic City, massive waves crashed ashore, accompanied by heavy rain and nearly 60 mph wind gusts. Several streets, including Vermont Avenue, were submerged. The storm also caused significant beach erosion, with officials warning of strong rip currents at the beaches.
Businesses along the Jersey Shore were also affected by the storm. Azzurra Pizza in Sea Isle City reported a loss of business due to the weather, with co-owner Leonardo Deserio noting that the forecast scared people away. Fractured Prune Donuts decided to close for the entire weekend, and Sam’s Pizza Place in Wildwood saw a decline in customers due to the cancellation of the Wildwood Classic Car Show.
In Center City, Philadelphia, downpours made umbrellas and ponchos a necessity as people tried to go about their day. Despite the weather, crowds still turned out for local events, including the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. Kaliani Candelario from North Philadelphia, whose family is from Puerto Rico, said, “My kids have never been to it. So we wanted to come out and enjoy it, even if it’s raining.”
Delaware beaches also experienced severe flooding due to the remnants of Ophelia. Roads near the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach were blocked off due to the high water levels. The storm’s impact extended across the mid-Atlantic, with heavy rainfall, coastal flooding, and strong winds affecting multiple states.
As the storm continues to move northeast, the National Weather Service has issued warnings for additional heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding. Coastal areas remain on high alert for further flooding and dangerous surf conditions. The remnants of Ophelia are expected to dissipate by Monday, but the cleanup and recovery efforts will likely continue for days.
Source: CBS Philadelphia, WPVI-TV, CNN
