Early impacts of Tropical Storm Isaias around Monmouth & Ocean Counties
Hopefully you are reading this from the comfort of your home or a safe place.
Tropical Storm Isaias which has come north along the Atlantic Coast and into New Jersey and the Shore with full force, has already caused power outages ands flooding.
We are heading into and through the peak of the storm for the next several hours so buckle down safely at home, charge your electronics now in the event you do lose power and make sure you download our FREE Townsquare Media Jersey Shore station apps for 92.7 WOBM, 94.3ThePoint, 105.7TheHawk and Beach Radio 1160/1310 AM and 104.1 FM for all the latest New and Weather updates today.
If the power goes out, you can still listen to us on the air.
Here is the information you need to know about how Tropical Storm Isaias is impacting Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
Keep scrolling or swiping downward, lots of information to unpack:
At 10:59 AM South Toms River Police sent out a nixle alert with information from Weather Spotters about a confirmed tornado passing over Barnegat, moving north at 55 mph.
Several Ocean County towns are feeling the impacts as a result including Toms River, Lakewood, Jackson, Barnegat, Beachwood, Lakehurst, Leisure Village, Holiday City South, Pleasant Plains, Cedar Glen West, Leisure Village East, Cassville, Woodruff, Holiday City-Berkeley, Bamber Lake, Cedar Glen Lakes, Whiting, Brookville, Pine Ridge At Crestwood and Beach Haven West as well as the Garden State Parkway between mile markers 61 and 90.
The Ocean County Sheriff's Office reported shortly after 11:00 am that multiple wires are down in Toms River, Berkeley and Manchester with trees down in Beachwood.
Brick Township Police reported several traffic lights were down and out shortly after 11:30 am including Drum Point Road, Mantoloking Road, Brick Boulevard, Cedarbridge Avenue and Herbertsville Road are out.
"We're responding to do our best to control the intersections. If you don't have to go out, please stay home. The less traffic the better right now. If you do have to drive, please drive carefully and keep your eyes out for us as we're managing intersections."
Around 11:45 am Harvey Cedars Police reported that electric wires were down in the road way in the area of 79th street. "Traffic being diverted. Widespread power out through town. Use caution and stay off the roadway if possible."
At 11:53 am, Marlboro Township reported several road closures and power outages.
1. School Road and Dutch Lane - Wires across road. Road closed.
2. Robertsville Road closed between Topanemus and Club House due to pole leaning over roadway.
3. Route 520 by Crine Road Closed due to downed tree and wires.
4. Traffic light at 520 and Gordons Corner Road out. Stop signs are in place.
5. Lafayette and Robertsville closed due to downed poles.
"Marlboro Police request that residents remain home and off roads unless travel is essential."
At 11:55 am Lakewood Police reported that traffic lights for several intersections throughout town are out due to the storm. "Please be careful and drive slowly."
At 12:15 pm Ocean Township Police in Monmouth County reported road closures.
"Route 9 from Seneca Boulevard to Barnegat Beach Drive is closed till further notice. Use alternate route."
The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Shaun Golden reported a spike in 911 calls so far today around 12:30 pm to their 911 Communications Center as a result of the storm.
"Sheriff Golden reminds all to utilize 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies & report power outages to your utility company & stay clear of downed wires as they could be live.
Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) Customers can report outages & obtain restoration times by calling the utility at 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)."
At 12:43 pm, Jackson Police issued an alert that several patrol officers are out across town due to road closures.
"Officers are currently at multiple locations in town directing traffic or dealing with road closures due to trees and wires down or traffic lights down at intersections because of power outages.
If you do not have to be out on the road, please stay in. If you are out, please beware of downed wires and debris in the road and watch for traffic detours.
If you lose power to your residence, please contact JCPL at 1 (888) 544-4877 to report the outage."
At 12:41 pm, Neptune Township OEM reported that a tree fell into a home.
At 1:45 pm, the Bayville Volunteer Fire Department provided an update on power outages in Berkeley Township.
"Stations are manned and crews are out throughout town on many emergencies. Stay away from downed power lines. Call 911 in an emergency. Stay Safe!!!"
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Office of Emergency Management, Emergency Operations Center will remain Partially Activated for COVID-19 and also Tropical Storm Isaias during normal duty hours until 4:30 pm. Additional hours could be expanded based on need.
The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management is relaying information from the National Weather Service a number of weather related threats between now and 8:00 pm tonight. The Jersey Shore Coastline has the highest wind threat where we could see hurricane force winds between 60-85 mph.
There is also the potential of dangerous rip currents with surges of 1-3 feet pushing into our area which will coincide with high time in coastal Ocean and Monmouth Counties along with a 6-8 hour period of constant rain.
You can expect widespread trees down due to the nature of this storm as well as power lines but DO NOT go near them.
In Harvey Cedars, Police Chief Robert Burnaford sent out video on Facebook of rough waters early this morning.
This post will constantly be updated throughout the day.
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