WILDWOOD, NJ — Hurricane Erin’s tightening grip on the Mid-Atlantic is set to whip the Jersey Shore with powerful winds Thursday, with forecasters warning of gusts up to 50 miles per hour expected to slam coastal communities from Cape May to Ocean County.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory in effect from 10 a.m. Thursday until midnight, covering Atlantic Coastal Cape May, Coastal Atlantic, and Coastal Ocean counties in New Jersey, as well as Delaware Beaches County.
Northeast winds of 25 to 35 mph will be steady throughout the day, with dangerous gusts strong enough to bring down tree limbs, scatter unsecured outdoor items, and potentially knock out power in some areas. Officials are urging residents to secure patio furniture, trash bins, and any loose items ahead of the wind surge.
The intense winds are part of the broader storm system spinning off Hurricane Erin, which remains offshore but continues to send severe weather toward the coast. Combined with high surf, rip currents, and ongoing flooding, the strong winds could make conditions along the shore especially hazardous Thursday into the evening.
No formal evacuations have been ordered, but emergency managers are closely monitoring conditions and have advised beachgoers and residents in flood-prone areas to stay alert as the storm evolves.
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Key Points
- 25 to 35 mph sustained winds with gusts up to 50 mph forecast for Jersey Shore
- Wind Advisory in effect for coastal counties from 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday
- Power outages, falling limbs, and blowing debris expected across shore towns
Powerful wind gusts will lash the Jersey Shore Thursday as Hurricane Erin stirs up dangerous weather from miles away.