Heavy rain falling across Monmouth and Ocean counties, including Point Pleasant Beach and Belmar, as the Jersey Shore prepares for heavy rain, flooding and potentially beach erosion today as Tropical Storm Fay takes aim at the Garden State.

 

Waves could reach from five to eight feet. There is also the potential for flooding and beach erosion.

Community leaders are taking precautions to mitigate flooding risks. Mayor Paul Kanitra says they are lowering water in their nearby lakes in an effort to reduce flooding from the storm.

 

"We've already proactively lowered our lakes over the last 24 hours,” says Mayor Kanitra. “Point Pleasant Beach is kind of likable, so in storms like this it has to fill up really quickly and there's nowhere for the water to go. So, this is one we have available to proactively prepare is to lower the lakes."

In Belmar, the waves, rain, and winds are picking up.

Fay is the first tropical system to brush the New Jersey coast since Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and Irene in 2011.

News 12 will have continuous updates throughout the day.