Ocean City of Emergency Management
Special Weather Statement:
5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2025
The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Watch for Ocean City, Strathmere and nearby coastal areas in effect from 10 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 12) through 8 p.m. Monday (Oct. 13).
A strong and slow-moving coastal storm will coincide with high astronomical tides and cause some of the highest coastal flooding levels the region has experienced in the past decade. The forecast includes sustained northeast winds of 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. As much as 3 to 5 inches of rain could fall over the two-day period.
Water levels are predicted to peak in the hours around high tide on the bay side (Ninth Street Bridge) of Ocean City at 1:05 p.m. Sunday. High tide on the bay side of Strathmere near Corson’s Inlet is at 12:49 p.m. Sunday. The NWS predicts a peak water level of 7.4 feet on the mean low water scale (MLW). By comparison, the water level reached 7.06 feet MLW as Hurricane Erin passed by on Aug. 21, 2025, and 7.66 feet MLW during the winter storm Jonas in January 2016. Visit www.ocnj.us/octides to compare this prediction to other recent and historic tide levels.
Moderate to major flooding conditions are expected to last through at least two additional high tide cycles:
- 1:46 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13 (1:33 a.m. in Strathmere): 7.1 feet MLW predicted
- 2:08 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13 (1:55 p.m. in Strathmere): 7.6 feet MLW predicted
Residents should be prepared to monitor conditions and to move vehicles to safe places well in advance of these high tides. The roads closer to the beach including Central and Wesley avenues are typically at higher elevation. Parking is now free at all municipal lots in the city. While these surface lots are typically above flood levels, please be aware that access to and from them may be limited during the peak flooding times. Parking also 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).
Check your decks and yards and be prepared to secure loose furniture, umbrellas and anything else that may be damaged by the wind. Owners on the lagoons and bayfront should check their boats, paddleboards, docks and slips to make sure all lines are secure in advance of the storm.
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.
Please note the following information:
- The Fall Block Party will go on as scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, October 11)
- The drone show originally scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday will be canceled due to the forecast for high winds.
- Ocean City Theatre Company’s “Ring of Fire” Johnny Cash celebration at the Music Pier is still on for Friday and Saturday evening, but the Sunday matinee will be canceled. Ticketholders for Sunday’s show can get a refund or transfer their tickets to one of the evening shows. More information is available at oceancitytheatrecompany.com.
- The "Faith and Blue" food drive on Sunday at Ocean City's ACME locations is still on.
- The Making Strides for Breast Cancer event on Sunday is canceled.
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