Full Notification

Cape May & West Cape May OEM met this afternoon regarding the upcoming coastal storm. 

At this time predictions are calling for High Winds gusts 55mph+, minor to moderate coastal flooding. Afternoon high tides are predicted to be the more significant tide cycles. The storm may become a named storm in the next 24 hours.

From the Cape May City Office of Emergency Management:
Here are the key messages for our region regarding the potential impacts of a coastal storm over the weekend.

1 - We are still expecting a coastal storm to impact our region this weekend, starting Friday Night and lasting into Sunday. The most significant impacts will be to areas along the immediate coast on Saturday, in the form of coastal flooding and strong winds, along with periods of heavy rain.

2 - While there is still uncertainty regarding exact coastal water levels on Saturday, at this point it appears that most of the New Jersey and Delaware coast will experience at least minor coastal flooding, and some areas, particularly coastal southern New Jersey and southern Delaware, may experience moderate coastal flooding. The greatest concern for coastal flooding will likely occur during the Saturday afternoon high tide, around 2-3pm, but could linger into following high tide cycles on Sunday.

3 - Strong onshore winds are forecast on Saturday. Gusts up to 55 mph are possible across the immediate coastal areas and over the ocean waters; peaking up to 40 mph inland. Combined with coastal flooding, this could result in at least minor beach erosion, along with dangerous rip currents. A Gale Watch is in effect for the waters a Wind Advisory may be necessary for land areas near the coast.

4 - Periods of rain will fall from Friday night into Sunday, possibly heaviest on Saturday. Locally over 2 to 3 inches of rain may fall across portions of the region. That still depends on the track of the storm system, and that track remains uncertain. At this time those heavier rain amounts are forecast for the coastal areas, with less than 2 inches forecast northwest of I-95. Aside from the coastal flooding, some occasional urban and small-stream flooding of low-lying areas could occur during periods of heavier rain.

5 - There is potential that the system acquires some tropical characteristics and become a named storm, but this remains highly uncertain. Regardless of if that happens, the overall impacts for our area listed above will be similar.

Ways to stay informed:
The Cape May Police Department has linked up with the Nixle message delivery service. Residents can now connect with the police department using this service. Stay instantly informed of trusted, neighborhood-level public safety and community information.
Please use the links below to sign up for free alerts from the Cape May Police Department for the City of Cape May, Cape May Point and West Cape May Boroughs. You choose the information you want, for the addresses you want, all delivered at no cost, by text message, email and web. https://local.nixle.com/signup/widget/g/66129

Please call Cape May Police Department at (609) 884-9514 with any questions or assistance signing up for Nixle. To Sign Up for Call and Text Alerts: https://local.nixle.com/signup/widget/g/66129
To Sign Up for Text Only/SMS Alerts: Text CAPEMAYPD to 888777 To Sign Up for APP Alerts: Download Everbridge, Enter Keyword 08204, Subscribe to City of Cape May Police Department.

The Cape May Police Department wishes to inform our residents and encourage them to sign up for “Register Ready – New Jersey’s Special Needs Registry for Disasters” allows New Jersey's residents with access and functional needs and their families, friends and associates an opportunity to provide information to emergency response agencies, so emergency responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency. Any resident in Cape May, West Cape May or Cape May Point needing assistance.

Please contact our CMPD Special Needs Representative, Ms. Allie Onofrietti at 609-884-9514. We can help you sign up and stay connected for emergencies and preparation for them.
How to register for “Register Ready – New Jersey’s Special Needs Registry for disasters”:
https://www13.state.nj.us/SpecialNeeds/Signin?ReturnUrl=%2fSpecialNeeds%2f

Stay Safe & Healthy,
Cape May City OEM & Emergency Services Division

Instructions:

Please call Cape May Police Department at (609) 884-9500 or 9514 with any questions or assistance signing up for Nixle.