Ocean City Office of Emergency Management
Special Weather Statement:
10 a.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2025
The National Weather Service issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Ocean City, Strathmere and nearby coastal areas in effect from 5 p.m. Wednesday (August 20) through 2 a.m. Saturday (August 23).
The forecast calls for the highest tide levels Ocean City and Upper Township have experienced in the past three years, peaking on Thursday evening as Hurricane Erin passes by on its track up the open water of the Atlantic Ocean. The storm coincides with the approach of higher tides from a new moon.
A High Surf Advisory (through 6 p.m. Friday), Rip Current Statement (through 6 p.m. Friday) and Wind Advisory (10 a.m. to midnight on Thursday) have also been issued by the National Weather Service.
Water levels are predicted to crest in the hours around high tide on the bay side (Ninth Street Bridge) of Ocean City at 7:50 p.m. Thursday. High tide on the bay side of Strathmere near Corson’s Inlet is at 7:35 p.m. Thursday. The NWS predicts a water level of 6.7 feet on the mean low water scale (MLW). By comparison, the water level reached 5.88 feet MLW on Monday (Aug. 18), 5.2 feet MLW on Tuesday (Aug. 19) and a record 9.31 feet MLW during Superstorm Sandy (Oct. 29, 2012). Visit www.ocnj.us/octides to compare this prediction to other recent and historic tide levels.
All high tide predictions during the warning period include:
- 7:01 p.m. Wednesday: 5.3 feet MLW
- 7:34 a.m. Thursday: 4.5 feet MLW
- 7:50 p.m. Thursday: 6.7 feet MLW
- 8:20 a.m. Friday: 5.7 feet MLW
- 8:34 p.m. Friday: 6.1 feet MLW
Dangerous surf and exceptionally strong currents will build through Thursday evening and continue at least through Friday. Never swim at an unguarded beach, and respect all guidance from beach patrols. The beaches will remain open, but our beach patrol will restrict swimming — either entirely or only to the shallowest water — over the next few days.
Residents should be prepared to monitor conditions and to move vehicles to safe places well in advance of high tides this week. While flooding is possible on all streets, visitors should be aware that streets on the bay side of Ocean City — including the Simpson Avenue and Haven Avenue corridors — are often the most prone to tidal flooding. The roads closer to the beach including Central and Wesley avenues are typically at higher elevation. Parking will be available at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 20 North Shore Road in Marmora (please read letter from Trinity if you take advantage of this service).
The city expects to open the safest municipal parking lots for free on Thursday and will provide more information well in advance of that time.
For your safety and the protection of your vehicle and neighboring properties, never drive on any street covered by water. Please do not disregard barricades on flooded streets. Take the time to secure loose items in on your property in advance of the high winds on Thursday.
The mayor will provide further updates on the storm, parking, potential closings or postponements, and safety measures throughout the duration of this special weather event.
For Police & Fire Department emergencies, call 911. For non-emergencies, call 609-399-9111.
Ocean City, New Jersey
861 Asbury Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 399-6111
www.ocnj.us