A strong onshore flow preceding a northeaster produced minor tidal flooding across southern New Jersey and moderate coastal flooding in Middlesex, Monmouth and parts of Ocean County at the time of high tide around noon on Christmas Day. Heavy rain fell at the time of the high tide and exacerbated the flooding as did flow from inland lakes and rivers. Monmouth County bore the brunt of the tidal flooding as dozens of roads were closed for several hours including State Routes 35 and 71. Moderate flooding was reported in Neptune, Sea Bright, Brielle, Long Branch, Manasquan and Middletown. Several roads were closed in each municipality. In Manasquan, a voluntary evacuation of 1,000 residents was recommended from Third Avenue to the beachfront as roads were closed from flooding from Manasquan Inlet, the Manasquan River and Stockton Lake. Fletcher Lake overflowed, exacerbating the tidal flooding in Bradley Beach and Ocean Grove. One person was trapped in their home in Asbury Park. Low lying areas along Raritan Bay were also flooded in Middlesex County. In Ocean County, moderate flooding was reported in Point Pleasant Beach as New Jersey State Route 35, Broadway and Arnold Avenue were all impassable. The Coast Guard was placed on alert for possible evacuations (they were not necessary) in Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach.  Motorists were rescued from three feet of water. In Atlantic County, the Black Horse Pike (U.S. Routes 40 and 322), Dorset Avenue and Wellington Avenue in and around Atlantic City were closed due to flooding. A vehicle became stuck in flood waters in Absecon at the intersection of Shore Road and U.S. Route 30 (White Horse Pike). Highest tides included 8.73 feet above mean lower low water at South Amboy (Middlesex County), 8.52 feet above mean lower low water at Keansburg (Monmouth County), 8.07 feet above mean lower low water at Sandy Hook (Monmouth County), 7.47 feet above mean lower low water at North Wildwood (Cape May County), 7.31 feet above mean lower low water at the Cape May Ferry Terminal (Cape May County), 7.29 feet above mean lower low water at Atlantic City (Atlantic County), 6.99 feet above mean lower low water at Absecon (Atlantic County) and 6.42 feet above mean lower low water at Sea Bright (Monmouth County). The northeaster that produced the tidal flooding moved from Mississippi the morning of the 24th to near Norfolk the morning of the 25th to just west of Atlantic City during the afternoon of the 25th to south of Nova Scotia the morning of the 26th.

Storm Surge/Tide in EASTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 25-DEC-02 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-02 14:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: COASTAL OBSERVING STATION

Storm Surge/Tide in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 25-DEC-02 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-02 14:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: COASTAL OBSERVING STATION

Storm Surge/Tide in WESTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 25-DEC-02 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-02 14:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: COASTAL OBSERVING STATION

Storm Surge/Tide in EASTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 25-DEC-02 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-02 14:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: COASTAL OBSERVING STATION

Storm Surge/Tide in EASTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 25-DEC-02 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-02 14:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: COASTAL OBSERVING STATION

Storm Surge/Tide in EASTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 25-DEC-02 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-02 14:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: COASTAL OBSERVING STATION

Storm Surge/Tide in WESTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 25-DEC-02 10:00:00 to 25-DEC-02 14:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: COASTAL OBSERVING STATION