How to Prepare for Coastal Flooding at the Jersey Shore

One of the big concerns with this weekend's Nor'easter is the potential for coastal flooding, especially because tides will already be high from Saturday's full moon.

There's currently a coastal flood watch in effect for Ocean County, but we should all be prepared.

It's important to remember that a coastal flood watch simply means that widespread coastal flooding is POSSIBLE, and it could range from moderate to major flooding in some localized areas.

If you live in an area that regularly floods, you may want to take extra precautions this weekend.

Brick Township is making sand and sandbags available for residents at the Brick Township Public Works Center (836 Ridge Road). They are available from 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m. while supplies last. Keep in mind you will have to fill your own bags, but they will provide shovels.

The Red Cross Flood Safety plan recommends having some emergency items available (and ready to go on the off-chance you need to evacuate), including:

• 3-day supply of food and water
• flashlight (and extra batteries)
• battery powered or hand-crank radio
• 7 days worth of necessary medications and items like contact lenses, syringes, etc.
• a multi-purpose tool (like a Swiss Army knife)
• Personal hygiene items (baby wipes, hand sanitizer, deodorant, tampons, etc.)
• cell phone and chargers (portable chargers are especially helpful)
• blanket
• copies of important documents/information (contact info, birth certificates, insurance paperwork, etc.)
• cash
• baby and pet supplies
• extra keys
• extra clothes/rain and snow gear

It may seem excessive, but it never hurts to plan for the worst, and hope for the best.

Be safe this weekend, and stay with us all weekend long for the latest weather updates!