Long Beach Island could feel the
brunt of the
nor'easter, and preparations are underway for a variety of
dangerous conditions expected through tomorrow.
“Down this Jersey Shore, we are
prepared,” says Harvey Cedars police/OEM Deputy Coordinator, Chief Robert
Burnaford. “We've been watching all week the different models going back and
forth, but we're ready.”
Burnaford says conditions on the
narrow island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay make it
especially vulnerable to winter storms.
“We are prepared,” says Burnaford.
“I woke up this morning, I saw we are in blizzard warnings conditions, high
winds, cold temperatures, possible coastal flooding sounds like we're going to
get a little bit of everything.”
A few miles south in Surf City at
Tuckerton Lumber, business was brisk at one of the island’s only
hardware store open this time of year.
“I think you should have some type
of de-icer or something that's going to melt that snow and ice on the
sidewalks, prevent slips and falls getting injured things like flashlights,
batteries,” says Tom Rwier. “If power does go out, you want to make sure you
have something that can allow you to see and something to keep you warm, portable
heaters.”
Experts are warning to not go
outside during the height of the storm because of potentially life-threatening white-out conditions.
They're also concerned about any flooding from the Barnegat Bay to turn to ice
on the streets. If it's cold enough, even salt water can freeze if it reaches
temperatures below 28.4 degrees.