Ocean County Officials Urge Residents to Stay Weather Aware as Nor’easter Brings Dangerous Conditions This Weekend

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners is urging residents to stay weather aware and take precautions as a powerful nor’easter moves through the region this weekend. On behalf of Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, county officials stress the importance of staying informed, preparing for hazardous conditions, and following all guidance from state and local authorities.

The State of New Jersey has declared a State of Emergency due to the severity of the storm. Ocean County leaders are asking residents to take this seriously, as strong winds, coastal flooding, and heavy rain are expected to create dangerous conditions across the county.

High Winds, Coastal Flooding & Hazardous Conditions Expected

A High Wind Warning is in effect for coastal Ocean County from tonight through Saturday night, with sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts reaching 60 mph. Inland communities are under a Wind Advisory, with gusts of 30 to 45 mph expected.

A Coastal Flood Warning is also in place, with moderate flooding likely. The highest tides are forecast around 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday at Barnegat Inlet, though exact times will vary by location. Back bay areas — including Barnegat Bay — are expected to see the worst impacts, and some roads will become impassable.

Up to 2 inches of rain may fall in parts of the county. With saturated ground and strong winds, officials warn that downed trees and power outages are likely. A high risk of rip currents remains in effect through Sunday, and residents are urged to stay out of the water.

Safety Guidance for Ocean County Residents

Officials urge residents to take the following precautions:

• Never drive through flooded roads — water may be deeper than it appears.
• Move vehicles to higher ground if you live in a flood‑prone area.
• Secure outdoor items that could blow away in high winds.
• Charge phones and devices ahead of potential outages.
• Stay far away from downed wires and report hazards immediately.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office has emergency assets staged throughout the county and is prepared to respond if needed.

Power Outage Information

If you lose power, report it directly to your utility provider:

• JCP&L: 1‑888‑544‑4877
• Atlantic City Electric: 1‑800‑833‑7476

Stay Connected to Official Updates

Residents are encouraged to follow verified emergency channels for real‑time information:

• Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page
• Sign up for text alerts: https://embeds.regroupcloud.com/…/subscribers/signup_embed

Officials will share another update once Sunday’s forecast becomes clearer.

Emergency Contacts

• For emergencies: Call 911
• For non‑emergencies: Call 732‑349‑2010

A Note About Photos

Images included with this update depict past flooding events in Ocean County. They are not from this weekend’s storm.

Photos courtesy of: Ocean County Sheriff NJ