Storm Surge to Battle Mid-Atlantic Coastline

Hermine continues to threaten the Mid-Atlantic coastline with rough surf and dangerous storm surge. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency for three coastal counties– Ocean, Atlantic and Cape May counties. These three counties are prone to significant coastal flooding– especially from Hermine.

As of early Sunday afternoon, post-tropical cyclone Hermine remains a powerful storm with winds of 70 mph, gusting to hurricane force. There is a large wind field with this storm as tropical storm winds extend  230 miles from the center. Tropical storm warnings are in effect from Virginia to Rhode Island.

“The impending weather conditions constitute an imminent hazard, which threatens and presently endangers the health, safety, and resources of the residents of Ocean County, Atlantic County and Cape May County,” said Gov. Christie. “This situation may become too large in scope to be handled by the normal county and municipal operating services in Ocean County, Atlantic County and Cape May County, and this situation may spread to other parts of the State. So as a result, in order to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of the State of New Jersey, I’ve signed an Executive Order declaring a State Of Emergency in Ocean County, Atlantic County, and Cape May County effective immediately, giving emergency management personnel the tools they need to ensure a speedy and orderly response.”

Hermine is expected to regain hurricane strength as it takes a more northerly track, perhaps northwesterly, which could lead to dangerous coastal flooding for the Mid-Atlantic coast.

@WTOP A friend of mine shared this picture on Facebook of storm surge Friday Morning in Hampton, VA pic.twitter.com/1iaAJEZTDQ

— Alfred Baker (@ajb62787) September 4, 2016

Ocean City police have reported several water rescues Sunday afternoon due to the high surf.

Seas are cresting up to 20 feet just off shore and the high surf will continue to erode away the coastline over the next several days.

We are anticipating a 2-4 ft storm surge leading to moderate coastal flooding during high tide late Sunday and Monday as Hermine meanders off the coast.

For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Nick Merianos