Flooding in New Jersey, July 24, 1997

Heavy rain, associated with weak low pressure systems riding along a nearly stationary frontal boundary in the southern Delmarva Peninsula, caused urban flooding, especially on the back bay sides of the barrier islands of Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean Counties. Although it was southeast of this frontal boundary, some of the moisture from Tropical Storm Danny was ingested into this boundary and exacerbated the heavy rain. Periods of heavy rain started during the early morning of the 24th. The heaviest rain occurred around noon and coincided with the high tide on the back bay side. This slowed the drainage of the rain into the bays. In Atlantic County flooding and high water blocked cars off roads in Absecon, Atlantic City (where some sewers backed up), Brigantine, Northfield and Somers Point. In Brigantine, 30 cars were flooded. In Ocean County, on Long Beach Island around three feet of water accumulated on many roadways. Numerous vehicles were disabled, in Long Beach Township there were 20 alone. Roads were closed due to flooding in Beach Haven, Brant Beach and Ship Bottom. In Cape May County, flooding was reported in low lying streets along the back bays from Ocean City to Cape May. Storm totals included 6.09 inches at the Marina in Atlantic City (a new daily record), 5.08 inches in Toms River and 3.97 inches at the Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona.