A nor'easter is bringing coastal flooding, damaging wind and dangerous surf to Wildwood. Every figure below is quoted from active National Weather Service warnings, or read off the NOAA tide gauge at Cape May.
## Warnings in effect
- **Coastal Flood Warning** (Severe) — until 2 PM EDT Sunday - **High Surf Advisory** (Minor) — until 2 PM EDT Sunday - **Rip Current Statement** (Moderate) — until 2 PM EDT Sunday - **High Wind Warning** (Severe) — until 6 AM EDT Sunday
## The numbers
- **2 to 3 ft** — above ground level - **60 mph** — peak gusts - **30 to 40 mph** — sustained wind
## When the water comes
The flooding arrives with the tide, so the high tides inside the warning are the times that matter.
- Saturday 8:49 a.m. — 5.6 ft - Saturday 9:10 p.m. — 5.6 ft - Sunday 9:29 a.m. — 5.8 ft - Sunday 9:52 p.m. — 5.5 ft - Monday 10:10 a.m. — 6.0 ft - Monday 10:34 p.m. — 5.3 ft
## What it means
- At this level, flooding may become severe enough to cause structural damage along with widespread roadway flooding in coastal and bayside communities, and near inland tidal waterways. Some locations may become isolated by the flood waters. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant beach erosion is expected. Breaching of sand dunes is possible. - At this level, flooding may become severe enough to cause structural damage along with widespread roadway flooding in coastal and bayside communities, and near inland tidal waterways. Some locations may become isolated by the flood waters. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant beach erosion is expected. Breaching of sand dunes is possible. - At this level, flooding may become severe enough to cause structural damage along with widespread roadway flooding in coastal and bayside communities, and near inland tidal waterways. Some locations may become isolated by the flood waters. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant beach erosion is expected. Breaching of sand dunes is possible. - Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
## What to do
A Coastal Flood Warning means that moderate or major tidal flooding is occurring or imminent. Be prepared for rising water levels and take appropriate action to protect life and property. Follow the recommendations of local emergency management officials. Do not drive your vehicle through flood waters. The water may be deeper than you think it is. You will be putting yourself in danger and your vehicle may be damaged, leading to costly repairs. Visit the National Water Prediction Service at https://water.noaa.gov/wfo/phi for additional water level and flood impact information for your local tide gauge. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. Always obey posted Beach Flags. If you enter the surf zone, always have a floatation device with you and swim near a lifeguard if possible. If caught in a rip current, relax and float and do not swim against the current. If able, swim parallel to the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
## Sources
National Weather Service active alerts for Wildwood, and NOAA Tides & Currents predictions for Cape May (station 8536110). For official warnings, evacuation orders and emergency instructions, always follow the National Weather Service and your local emergency authorities.
*The anchors in this programme are AI-generated.*