The National Weather Service has continued the Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Avalon, and has posted a Flash Flood Watch for the potential of heavy rain in a short period of time. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 9:00pm on Friday, August 18th and the Flash Flood Watch is in effect until Midnight.

As of 6:00pm, the leading edge of the cold front that will push through our region was impacting the Philadelphia region and was moving across the Baltimore/Towson, Maryland area. The front is moving easterly at approximately 30mph. There is the potential for heavy downpours, strong gusty winds, lightning and thunder.

If you see lightning or hear thunder, seek shelter from open areas, including beaches, immediately. Never attempt to drive on any street that is flooded as this puts you and your vehicle at risk and may damage private and public property. If you have any emergency, dial 911.

Portions of Avalon that typically receive street flooding during extreme rain events include the northerly beach blocks of Avalon east of Avalon Avenue; portions of Ocean Drive; portions of the Dune Drive business district; west of Ocean Drive from 20th through 24th streets; west of Ocean Drive at 39th Street; and the east side of Dune Drive from 33rd through 40th Streets.

If you elect to move your vehicle from the street to another section of Avalon, the Borough has prepared this flood map for guidance purposes only. Areas noted in blue and in purple are most prone to flooding during an extreme rain event.   Avalon last received an extreme rain event during the early morning hours of July 29th, 2017. The potential rain is not a tidal flooding event, it is anticipated to be a rain event.

The Avalon Department of Public Works and Middlesex Water Company have checked and cleared storm drains and tested pump stations in advance of the potential for heavy rainfall this evening.

Please continue to follow updates on the forecast for Avalon and Cape May County, NJ on traditional media outlets.

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

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Issued: 5:43 PM EDT Aug. 18, 2017 – National Weather Service

Severe Thunderstorm Watch 455 remains in effect until 900 PM EDT

NJ
.   New Jersey counties included are

Atlantic             Bergen             Burlington
Camden               Cape May           Cumberland
Essex               Gloucester         Hudson
Hunterdon           Mercer             Middlesex
Monmouth             Morris             ocean
Passaic             Salem               Somerset
Sussex               Union               Warren

Flash Flood Watch

Issued: 3:19 PM EDT Aug. 18, 2017 – National Weather Service

… Flash Flood Watch in effect until midnight EDT tonight…

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has expanded the

* Flash Flood Watch to include portions of southern Delaware and
New Jersey, including the following areas, in southern
Delaware, Delaware beaches and inland Sussex. In New Jersey,
Atlantic, Atlantic coastal Cape May, Cape May, coastal
Atlantic, coastal ocean, Cumberland, eastern Monmouth, ocean,
and southeastern Burlington.

* Until midnight EDT tonight

* multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms can be expected
through tonight. Torrential downpours with storms that develop
this evening could produce rainfall rates greater than 2 inches
per hour. While the entire area will not receive heavy rain,
isolated rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are possible where
storms track over the same locations.

* Torrential rain falling in a short period of time will result
in rapidly rising water levels along streams and creeks and in
areas of poor drainage. Significant roadway flooding is
possible in isolated areas.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should flash flood warnings be issued.