WILDWOOD, NJ — Walls of water rolled over parts of Wildwood’s shoreline Wednesday as Hurricane Erin’s outer bands battered the Jersey Shore, triggering widespread flooding, closing roads, and raising serious concerns about damage to coastal infrastructure.
The wide beaches were covered with seawater, turning the massive flat beaches into what looked like a lake yesterday.
The storm, still offshore but creeping closer, has already pushed surf heights to 8 feet Wednesday with waves expected to reach 12 feet by Thursday evening. A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect through 2 a.m. Saturday for Atlantic Coastal Cape May, with the most dangerous conditions expected around Thursday night’s high tide.
As water levels surged more than a foot above ground in low-lying areas, multiple streets in Wildwood became impassable. Emergency management officials are urging residents to avoid flood zones and to prepare for additional inundation as high tide peaks. Beachfront properties are also facing shoreline erosion, and authorities have warned that some homes and businesses may sustain flood damage.
Rip currents and high surf have made entering the ocean treacherous, with a High Rip Current Risk and High Surf Advisory extended through Friday. Lifeguards are urging beachgoers to stay out of the water as even strong swimmers risk being pulled away from shore.
The National Weather Service has warned that some of the most significant flooding may occur Thursday evening, potentially reaching levels of locally major flooding along portions of the Wildwood coastline. Residents and visitors are being told not to drive through floodwaters and to remain alert to rising tides and rapidly changing conditions.
Officials continue monitoring tide gauges closely and will issue updates as conditions worsen.