The combination of a high pressure system over nearby Canada, a series of low pressure systems that passed southeast of  New Jersey and spring astronomical tides caused by the new moon produced widespread minor to locally moderate tidal flooding along the coast as well as in Raritan and Delaware Bays during the daytime high tide cycle on the third. Widespread minor tidal flooding occurred with the daytime high tide on the second in all areas. Minor tidal flooding also occurred during the evening high tide on the third and the daytime high tide on the fourth in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. The highest tides in all areas occurred on the 3rd.  For a majority of the region, this tide was slightly lower than the coastal flooding that occurred on Christmas Day 2002. But, because the onshore flow persisted for a couple of days, beach erosion was more extensive that what occurred with the previous northeaster.In Cumberland County, the Downe Avenue Bridge was closed leaving Fortescue during the daytime high tide on the 3rd. Several homeowners could not leave their houses because of the tidal flooding. Gandys Beach and Money Island were also flooded. In Cape May County, New Jersey State Routes 47, 52 and 147 were closed on the 3rd. In North Wildwood, tides eroded the seawall, savaged the bulkhead and undermined the deck's foundation. Beach entrances were blocked to prevent tidal flooding from reaching the city's streets. Outfall pipes were exposed and dunes turned into cliffs. Sea Isle City was made vulnerable to further erosion. In Atlantic County, both the Black and White Horse Pikes (U.S. Routes 40 and 30) were closed on the 3rd. Beach erosion tore away a couple of stairways and walkways. In Ventnor, half of the dunes disappeared and the high tides reached under the boardwalk. In Ocean County, beach erosion in Long Beach Township was described as moderate. In Beach Haven Borough, the rocks at Holyoke Avenue were exposed. The borough's southern beaches were eroded from Holyoke Avenue south. In Harvey Cedars, erosion occurred at both the north and south ends of the borough. Many dunes were cut. In Seaside Park, the bay side roads were flooded including Bayview Avenue. Runoff from the rain exacerbated the problem. In Monmouth County, three persons were rescued from flooded vehicles in Manasquan Borough. Brielle Avenue and East Main Street were barricaded. Second through Fourth Avenues were flooded. Stockton Lake also flooded. The worst flooding damage occurred in Union Beach Borough on Raritan Bay. About 500 sandbags were deployed to halt flooding from reaching several houses. About 20 to 25 streets were closed in the borough including the East End Avenue Bridge. Beach erosion caused the formation of four foot cliffs. Tidal flooding also forced several roadway closures along Raritan Bay in Middlesex County including the Victory Circle and Bridge in Sayreville.The highest tides included 8.38 feet above mean lower low water in Keansburg (Monmouth County), 7.83 feet above mean lower low water in Sandy Hook (Monmouth County), 7.54 feet above mean low water in Cape May Harbor (Cape May County), 7.30 feet above mean lower low water in Atlantic City (Atlantic County), 7.28 feet above mean lower low water in North Wildwood (Cape May County), 7.24 feet above mean lower low water in Stone Harbor (Cape May County), 7.02 feet above mean lower low water in Absecon (Atlantic County) and 6.16 feet above mean lower low water in Sea Bright (Monmouth County). The first low pressure system moved rapidly northeast from the Tennessee Valley on the morning of the 1st to southeast of Cape Cod on the morning of the 2nd. At the same time, another low pressure system formed in the western Tennessee Valley on the morning of the 2nd and moved more slowly northeast. It reached near Norfolk, Virginia during the morning of the 3rd and just southeast of Cape Cod during the morning of the 4th. Meanwhile, a large high pressure system slowly moved east from western Ontario Province the morning of the 1st to eastern Quebec Province the morning of the 4th. The high pressure system helped enhance the onshore flow throughout the week.

Storm Surge/Tide in EASTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 10:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Storm Surge/Tide in EASTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 03-JAN-03 10:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Storm Surge/Tide in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 12:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Storm Surge/Tide in SOUTHEASTERN BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 03-JAN-03 11:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Storm Surge/Tide in WESTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 03-JAN-03 11:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Storm Surge/Tide in WESTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 03-JAN-03 11:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Storm Surge/Tide in WESTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 04-JAN-03 11:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Storm Surge/Tide in WESTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 03-JAN-03 11:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Storm Surge/Tide in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 03-JAN-03 13:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Storm Surge/Tide in EASTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 03-JAN-03 10:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Storm Surge/Tide in EASTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 02-JAN-03 05:00:00 to 03-JAN-03 10:00:00 (EST)
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER