National Weather Service Issues a Flood Watch for Thursday

The National Weather Service on Wednesday issued a flood watch for coastal Cape May County and much of the rest of New Jersey.

The watch remains in effect from Thursday morning through Friday morning and calls for 1.5 to 3.5 inches of rain. The heaviest amounts are expected to fall in the northern and western parts of the state.

But strong northeast winds will contribute to coastal flooding. High tides are at 10:29 a.m. and 10:50 p.m. on the ocean side of the island—with delays of an hour or more on most bayside locations.

The rain is expected to begin tonight with the heaviest amounts falling Thursday into Thursday night.

Ocean City residents in flood-prone areas should consider moving vehicles to higher ground.

Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency Wednesday in anticipation of Thursday's heavy rains and high winds. A written release from the governor's office cited the possibility of record floods in the river valleys in other parts of the state.

"My first responsibility as the governor of New Jersey is protecting the health, safety and welfare of our residents," Christie said in the written statement. "With this order, we are taking proactive steps to ensure that state, local and county governments have every tool at their disposal in their response efforts, and are best positioned to marshal the resources necessary to assist and protect residents through anticipated flooding."

Christie's declaration gives State Police more power to control traffic, limit access to flooded areas and issue evacuation orders. It also authorizes the deployment of the New Jersey National Guard to support emergency operations.