Brick, Toms River Issue Voluntary Evacuation Orders in Sandy-Ravaged Areas

Toms River and Brick Township have issued voluntary evacuation orders for residents of low-lying Sandy-damaged areas on the barrier islands.

Earlier this morning Brick Township issued a voluntary evacuation order for residents in flood-prone areas.

Residents in these areas are urged to move their vehicles prior to 5 p.m. Friday.  Township residents can park in any school parking lot or any township-owned lot except the parking lot at the municipal building located at 401 Chambersbridge Road.

Toms River followed soon after, issuing an order for voluntary evacuation of barrier island homes and low-lying mainland areas starting at 6 p.m. Friday.

"Due to the possibility of flooding, residents of the barrier island and other low-lying areas who do not feel comfortable staying in their homes during the storm, may want to leave the area by 6 p.m. to stay with friends or family," Toms River Office of Emergency Management said in a news release.

North Jersey is expected to be the hardest hit with smaller amounts of snowfall in South Jersey. By mid-afternoon more than 4,000 fights were grounded in the Northeast because of the Nor'easter.

The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood warning for several parts of New Jersey from 4 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday. Flooding is possible at high tide Friday night, Toms River's OEM says.

It's snowing near or north of Interstate 78 and raining elsewhere. Forecasters say it will turn to all snow by the evening rush.

NJ Transit will add additional trains during the afternoon. Buses and trains are cross-honoring tickets.

The Associated Press Contributed to this Report