VIDEO: Stormy Wind, Rain, Flooding Strikes Area

Video by Vicky Samelski, Jack Fichter and Rick Racela
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COURT HOUSE — As predicted, a coastal storm swept into the county early May 12, and brought with it powerful winds that downed trees and power lines, flooded streets, and caused some island firefighters to be summoned to their firehouses for standby.
At 4:10 p.m. the George Redding Bridge was closed to traffic. Wildwood police were setting up cones to detour drivers.
The county suspended tolls on Ocean Drive bridges until May 13 at 10 a.m. to help traffic flow throughout flooded barrier islands.
The library branches in Sea Isle City and the Borough of Stone Harbor were closed due to weather conditions in those communities.
Shortly before 3 p.m. Cape May Police received a report of a possible transformer explosion near the city elementary school. It was reported that a tree near that transformer was on fire.
Children were in the school at the time, and were safe inside the structure. No further information was available as of 3:07 p.m.
The school switched to its own generator for power to accommodate after school care and other activities.
Wildwood schools were closed because of the flooding and power outages.
Effective at 2 p.m. May 12, 2008 the Ocean City Route 52 Causeway Bridge was closed due to flooding.
At the time other bridges into the city were passable including 34th Street and Longport. If additional closings are necessary the Herald will be notified.
At 2:14 p.m., Stone Harbor Police reported Third Avenue (Ocean Drive) at 92nd Street was impassable.
Shortly before 10 a.m., Wildwood Commissioner William Davenport issued a declaration of emergency that was signed at 4:30 a.m., according to a release.
Wildwood City Hall remained open despite the weather. Residents were urged to “take appropriate persuasions such as moving vehicles to higher ground. Residents should be especially careful of blowing objects due to the high winds,” by the release.
At noon, the City of Wildwood issued an update which stated the wind advisory remains in effect until 4 p.m., but noted the wind speed, “in excess of 45 mph …are expected to continue as the low strengthens and then lifts northeast.”
City Hall, although open, was only “in limited capacity due to the storm, with the exception of a number of downed wires, the city remains calm. Many streets remain impassable and driving should be avoided,” Davenport’s release stated.
At 2:43 p.m., a Middle Township police officer reported that North Beach Road in Reed’s Beach, on Delaware Bay, was covered by sand. That narrow road, which is only a few feet from the water is prone to washouts when severe storms lash the tiny community.
Shortly before 10 a.m., May 12,
Shortly after 4 a.m., Dennis volunteer firefighters were called to a downed tree on Route 47 about a quarter mile south of the Route 47-Court House Road intersection.
Middle Township police reported about that time that all Avalon Manor streets were flooded, including Old Avalon Boulevard and Leonard’s Lane. The area did have electricity, the officer reported.
On Stimpson’s Lane in West Cape May, a dwelling lost its power and electric lines were down to it.
Fire Police were on duty to keep traffic from using Wildwood Boulevard, also about 4 a.m.
About 6 a.m., North Wildwood firefighters were recalled to their firehouses to standby for possible calls.
By 6 a.m., there had been about a half-inch of rain recorded here. That amount was expected to double as rain was predicted throughout Monday.
Route 9 was closed, southbound from Sea Isl City Boulevard to Main Street due to a downed power line at about 7:40 a.m.
George Redding Bridge was closed at the same time due to flooding.
Garden State Parkway traffic was slowed, and state troopers were directing traffic because of non-functioning traffic signals.
As of 8 a.m. 21,194 Atlantic City Electric customers are without power. CLICK HERE for an outage map.
Readers are encouraged to report storm-related activity to the comment section below:
Readers who signed up free Herald Mobile Alerts for weather and traffic alerts were immediately notified on their cell phones of the forthcoming flooding and winds. Subscribers were also received three traffic alerts; closing of parts of Route 9, delays on the Garden State Parkway and the closing of the George Redding Bridge.
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UPDATES:
At 9:26 a.m. May 12, North Wildwood police reported a blown transformer at Fourth and JFK Blavd.
At. 9:41 a.m. May 12, Lower Township police reported a large tree limb stuck in an electric transformer at 721 New England Road.
At 9:49 a.m. North Wildwood Boulevard was reported open and passable.
In Wildwood Burk and Tacony, two large pilings were floating across the road and sidewalk at 9:57 a.m. The officer on scene reported that a forklift would be needed to clear them.
Electric wires were reported down in Anglesea at 9:55 a.m.
At 10:09 a.m. an electric wire was reported down on Cape Avenue.
At 10:45 a.m., a traffic signal on Wildwood Boulevard, west of George Redding Bridge reportedly fell and struck a vehicle.
Students at Lower Cape May Regional High School were to be released early for a planned in-service day.
Police spoke with the Lower Township Elementary school superintendent regarding the possibility of an early closure, but the official decided against that action, citing shortness of time, and fear that many youngsters would not have anyone home when they got there, and would be left in the weather.
Because of that, Lower Township police decided, instead, to make a listing of streets that were closed for various reasons, to alert schools.
Due to the high winds and downed trees and limbs the Cape May County Zoo will be closed today.
Additionally. Cape May County Park Central and Park North in Upper Township will be closed today.
Park South remains open.
At 11:12 a.m.., Middle Township police reported that a large tree fell across Court House-South Dennis Road at Timberlea Lane, Court House. Crews were dispatched to clear the blockage.
Weather conditions updated for Cape May County on Monday, May 12, 2008 by the Office of Emergency Management:
Received from county Office of Public Information at 11:35 a.m.:
THE SUSTAINED ON SHORE WINDS AT 40 – 45 MPH (GUSTING TO 50-55 MPH) WILL REMAIN ABOUT THE SAME THROUGH 5p.m. THIS EVENING.
THE TIDAL FLOODING SHOULD BE THE SAME THIS AFTERNOON AS WAS EXPERIENCED THIS MORNING.
HIGH TIDE THIS AFTERNOON IS AT APPROXIMATELY 3p.m. ON THE OCEAN SIDE & THE BACK BAY HIGH TIDE WILL BE 1 TO 2 HOURS LATER.
THE OVERNIGHT HIGH TIDE WILL NOT BE AS HIGH AS THIS MORNING OR THIS AFTERNOON BUT DO EXPECT TIDAL FLOODING AT APPROXIMATELY 3 a.m.
THE TUESDAY PM HIGH TIDE WILL DIMINISH SIGNIFICANTLY.
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At 12:18 p.m., Lower Township police received a report of a three-vehicle accident on Bayshore Road in front of Evoy’s Funeral Home. There were no reported injuries.
Police requested that traffic be rerouted away from the scene, and thus closed Bayshore Road and Breakwater Road as the accident scene is cleared.
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Entrance to Cape May City via Schellenger Landing was closed about 12:15 p.m. The county was notified of the change in traffic pattern. A short time later, that was lifted, and access was available to the city from the Lower Township landing area.