NJ evacuations: Mandatory in Barnegat, recommended in several Shore towns

Barnegat officials, expecting to get hammered by coastal flooding during the weekend's storm — with a full moon prompting higher-than-normal tides — have ordered mandatory evacuation for some residents.

The evacuation order applies to residents between the Barnegat Municipal Bathing Beach and the East Bay Avenue Bridge. The municipality was ordering residents to evacuate by 10 p.m. Friday.

As of Friday afternoon, a coastal flood warning is in effect for the most of the Jersey Shore from Ocean County and south effective at 4 a.m. Saturday. The National Weather Service expected water levels to approach the top-five recorded levels in Cape May and Lewes, and the top 10 ever recorded in Atlantic City.  Many roads will flood and minor to moderate property damage is likely in the most flood-prone areas, according to the NWS.

Brick, Lacey, Little Egg Harbor Manasquan, Toms River, and Tuckerton have all recommended evacuations for residents in low-lying or otherwise flood-prone areas, but none of those towns have issued mandatory orders.