The National Weather Service has posted a Flash Flood Watch for Avalon and surrounding communities starting on Thursday, July 3rd at 4:00pm through Friday afternoon.  There is a potential for heavy showers and thunderstorms associated with a cold front that will stall over our region as Hurricane Arthur passes offshore.  A High Surf Advisory is also in effect from Friday morning through Saturday morning, and a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect on Thursday, July 3rd until 10:00pm.

Please note with Arthur there may be restrictions on bathing and swimming in the ocean imposed by the Avalon Beach Patrol; please obey all instructions provided by lifeguards.  It is possible that the Avalon fireworks show scheduled for Friday evening may be moved to Sunday evening for weather related and safety reasons.  The fireworks originate from a barge in the ocean and rough surf/wave action may postpone fireworks until Sunday depending on the path of Arthur.  If you see lightning or hear thunder, seek shelter immediately, especially if you are on the beach.  If you have any emergency, please dial 911.

Here is the text of the Flash Flood Watch issued by the National Weather Service:

High surf advisory in effect from 8 am Friday to 6 am EDT Saturday…
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a high surf advisory… which is in effect from 8 am Friday to 6 am EDT Saturday.
* Waves and surf… up to 6 to 8 feet with a 12 to 14 second period.
* Impacts… the risk for dangerous rip currents will increase to high through Friday. Beach erosion will occur as a result of the wave action.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area. Life threatening rip currents and localized beach erosion will also be possible.

 

1135 am EDT Thu Jul 3 2014
… Flash Flood Watch now in effect from 4 PM EDT this afternoon through Friday afternoon…
The Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for
* portions of Delaware… northeast Maryland and New Jersey… including the following areas… in Delaware… Delaware beaches… inland Sussex and Kent. In northeast Maryland… Caroline… Kent MD… Queen Annes and Talbot. In New Jersey… Atlantic… Atlantic coastal Cape May… Cape May… coastal Atlantic… coastal ocean… Cumberland… eastern Monmouth… ocean and southeastern Burlington.
* From 4 PM EDT this afternoon through Friday afternoon
* a cold front from the northwest is forecast to stall over our region late this afternoon into Friday morning. Tropical moisture from Arthur will interact with the boundary… resulting in periods of heavy rain. Forecast rainfall totals range from one to three inches with locally higher amounts likely.
* The heavy rainfall is expected to result in flooding along streams and creeks… on roadways and in areas of poor drainage. The flooding may occur quickly in the heaviest of the downpours.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
This Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop to produce flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
Please monitor the forecast and be prepared to take action if flash flood warnings are issued.