Hurricane Sandy is posed to be a direct hit for the Avalon area and the Jersey Shore. According to the 5:00am update issued by the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center, Sandy is expected to take a turn towards the Jersey Shore later today and come ashore as a Category One hurricane. Sandy has maxium sustained winds of 85mph. A graphic showing the projected path of the storm and landfall over Avalon is posted right.
A mandatory evacuation is in effect in Avalon. Avalon Boulevard is not accessible. Avalon expects near record high tide at high tide this morning, around 8:30am. Very little water drained out of the back bays of Avalon during the low tide event overnight.
Current conditions in Avalon as of 5:13am:
Rain: Moderate rainfall falling nearly horizontal
Wind: Sustained winds at 35mph, gusts to 61mph
Power outages: Scattered throughout the community; over the 21st Street Bridge; from 61st Street on Ocean Drive south into Stone Harbor. Other power outages exist in the community
Streets: Largely passable, some standing water on various streets in Avalon
Tide: Monday’s high tide at 8:30am could rival tides experienced during the ’62 storm.
