Murphy urges safety as Hurricane Florence approaches East Coast

<p>New Jersey officials are urging residents to take precautions for Hurricane Florence, even though the bulk of the storm is expected to mostly miss the state.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 11, 2018, 9:24 PM

Updated 2,298 days ago

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New Jersey officials are urging residents to take precautions for Hurricane Florence, even though the bulk of the storm is expected to mostly miss the state.
Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday that current forecasts show that Florence is likely to strike a "glancing blow" to New Jersey. It's expected to make a more direct hit on the Carolinas and Virginia.
That still means New Jersey's coastal areas will get heavy rains, some flooding and high winds.
"These factors may have their greatest impact, not surprisingly given where the storm is, on residents in South Jersey. Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties, especially and…Atlantic County,” Murphy said.
In contrast to former Gov. Chris Christie's warning to "get the hell off the beach" before 2012's Superstorm Sandy, Murphy asked residents to "please get off the beach." He even added a "pretty please" for good measure.
Members of New Jersey's "Task Force One Search and Rescue Team" have also been deployed to North and South Carolina to help with preparations.
The warnings come as some New Jersey residents continue to deal with the aftermath of major flooding last month caused by heavy rain in the state. Areas of Passaic and Ocean counties saw devastation caused by several feet of flooding.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.