A potent low pressure system in the Ohio Valley during the early morning hours of May 11th moved eastward and gradually weakened. A secondary low formed over northeastern North Carolina during the late afternoon on the 11th and eventually absorbed the other low pressure system, becoming the dominant storm. This storm gradually moved east northeastward late on the 11th into the 12th. Early on the morning of the 12th, the storm was centered over the southern Delmarva. As this storm strengthened fairly rapidly, a strong northeast wind developed and persisted through the evening of the 12th. The prolonged northeasterly flow combined with higher than normal tides, caused moderate tidal flooding and areas of beach erosion in New Jersey. The heaviest rain remained across Delaware and Maryland. By the evening of the 12th, the coastal storm tracked eastward and gradually moved away from the region.
The Nor���easter of May 12th downed trees and wires, and flooded streets in dozens of beach towns. Tidal flooding forced the closure of schools and roads in parts of coastal New Jersey on the 12th and 13th. In Stafford (Ocean County), a truck that was buffeted by the winds got stuck on the Route 72 causeway bridge and blocked traffic. In Ocean County, widespread problems were reported from Stafford Township to Bass River Township due to downed power lines and trees on the 12th, most of which were considered nuisances and annoyances. Minor flooding, which in some cases resulted in road closures were reported. High winds caused the Route 72 Bridge to be closed for an extended period of time late in the morning on the 12th. The bridge was reopened shortly after 4:00 PM EDT on the 12th. Across the island, high winds brought down utility lines and sent debris flying. A billboard for a local ReMax real estate office on East Bay Avenue in Stafford Township was shredded on the 12th due to winds topping nearly 70 mph. In Barnegat Township (Ocean County), nearly 20 trees in various spots of town were knocked down, however there were no power outages or injuries reported. Bayshore Drive was shut down as bay water inundated it in the portion by the public beach and the municipal dock. A tree, which fell on Lower Shore Road, closed that road near the recreation complex. Bay Beach and the municipal dock parking lot were under a foot-and-a-half of water. Some of the older homes reportedly lost some roof shingles as one resident reported them laying in their yard. The strong winds even blew the shopping carts from the Genuardi's supermarket onto West Bay Avenue.
In Surf City (Ocean County), the Causeway Bridge was closed by authorities from midday to about 5:00 PM EDT on the 12th when the winds approached 65 mph. A truck actually got stuck on the bridge as the driver could not control the drift of the vehicle. The flood-prone and low-lying Tuckerton Beach (Ocean County) experienced increased tides due to the coastal storm, which flooded some areas, and at least two cars were lost. During the morning of the 12th, residents awoke to three feet of water around their homes. There were portable toilets on their sides and floating in the middle of the street, and numerous 20-pound propane tanks also floated around. The strong winds also brought down a couple of power lines and blew a boat off of a boatlift. Some homes lost their siding while others had lost roof shingles. In Beach Haven (Ocean County), the high tide and strong onshore winds allowed water to breach over the street entrance off of Merivale and Nelsen Avenues. On the Bayfront, the water had cleared over some of the bulkheads at Taylor Avenue. The usual flooding occurred along some of the side streets off of Bay Avenue. In Harvey Cedars (Ocean County), extra sand was brought in to fill in beach entrances from Passaic Avenue southward. Severe winds damaged houses throughout the borough, with three separate reports of windows being blown open and one house had siding torn off. The bridges to Long Beach Island (Ocean County) were closed shortly before 11:00 AM EDT on the 12th when a box truck was immobilized in high wind near the crest of the span. At approximately 2:30 PM EDT on the 12th, the wind speed was 67.9 mph on the bridge, according to officials. Also, a section of Long Beach Boulevard was closed due to flooding that reached heights of one and a half feet in some spots. Route 72 was blocked off at Marsha Drive near Beach Haven West on the 12th when the causeway bridge connecting Stafford to Long Beach Island (Ocean County) was shut down because of strong winds.
The Nor'easter of May 11-12 uprooted a few large trees in the Manasquan area (Monmouth County). Also, tree limbs and branches, as well as trash and recycling, were scattered and strewn around the streets. Sand from the local beaches was also swept up over the boardwalks and deposited onto Ocean Avenue, and other beach roads, as a result of the strong winds. Many area power lines were downed, which caused a number of power outages. Waves crashed over the inlet promenade at Riverside Drive on the afternoon of the 12th, which spilled onto the roadway. The combination of the waves and high winds led trash receptacles along a walkway to take flight. The length of Brielle Road was blocked off as more than a foot of water covered it. Main Street was closed between Potter Avenue and Third Avenue due to flooding. A downed power line over Stockton Lake Boulevard, along with flood conditions from the overflowing lake, caused much of the length of that street to be closed. Manasquan's deputy Office of Emergency Management coordinator reported that a storm surge of 3.5 feet came ashore in the borough.
In Belmar (Monmouth County), many large trees, tree branches and tree limbs had fallen due to the high winds. A handful of utility poles throughout the borough were also damaged from the storm. On the afternoon of the 12th, the ocean's waters reached up to the borough's boardwalk at high tide. A large tree limb snapped off and fell onto a home in the Shark River Hills section of Neptune (Monmouth County) on the 12th. In Bradley Beach (Monmouth County), beachfront was hit with severe beach erosion along Ocean Avenue, with a lot of sand that blew up onto the roadways and boardwalk. The storm caused minor damage to the boardwalk gazebos, with shingles being blown away. Large amounts of sand, some to the depth of two feet, in Sea Girt (Monmouth County) was blown onto the boardwalk and Ocean Avenue. A weather station at Sea Girt's beachfront pavilion measured sustained winds of 60 to 64 mph between 9:30 AM EDT and 10:00 AM EDT on the 12th.
Wall Township (Monmouth County) received several reports of downed trees, and also some debris in the roads along with traffic lights that were not working. Brielle Borough experienced numerous downed wires and utility poles, several downed trees and moderate tidal flooding. The borough of Spring Lake (Monmouth County) and its boardwalk as well as much of Ocean Avenue, was inundated with sand blown in from the beach. Some downed trees were also reported with one downed tree near the intersection of Third and St. Claire avenues, which caused the road to be temporarily closed. Avon-by-the-sea beaches had sand pushed back towards the boardwalk, and crews used front-end loaders to try and spread the sand across the beachfront after the storm passed. Sea Bright (Monmouth County) experienced flooding on the 12th as strong winds and high tides occurred. Approximately 3,000 Jersey Central Power and Light customers in northern Monmouth County lost power in the storm. The strong winds, coupled with the rain, had loosened up some of the tree branches, which then fell onto electrical equipment, according to the power company. Ocean Avenue in front of a deli store became flooded with about four feet of water, while areas of the store had two feet of water.
Adams Avenue in Margate (Atlantic County) along with sections of Bay and New York Avenues in Somers Point (Atlantic County) were flooded due to high tides and a strong onshore wind associated with the Mother���s Day Nor���easter. A huge piece of sheet metal landed on the Atlantic City Boardwalk (Atlantic County) after it blew off an unknown location on the 12th. The incident closed the Boardwalk from St. James Place to New York Avenue. A large tree came to rest on a building in the 200 Block of Mount Vernon in Northfield (Atlantic County) on the 12th. Strong winds toppled a signal light at Washington Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Margate (Atlantic County) at about 6:30 AM EDT on the 12th. Flooding occurred on New York Avenue on the 12th in Somers Point (Atlantic County). Flooding in Atlantic City closed down the White Horse and the Black Horse Pikes on the 12th. These reopened at 9:30 PM EDT and 10:00 PM EDT respectfully. In Atlantic City, a man who was walking on Albany Avenue near the edge of the city was hit by flying debris, but was not seriously injured. The city had to shut down sections of its Boardwalk to pedestrian traffic for part of the day after a 20-by-25-foot piece of metal blew down. East Shore Drive and 12th Street North in Brigantine (Atlantic County) was flooded on the 12th.
Streets, homes and property were flooded on the 12th from high tides and strong winds in Ocean City and Strathmere (Cape May County). Even bridges into Ocean City were closed for a time and portable toilets on construction sites floated away. Some motorists disregarded warnings and the flooding levels and had to be removed from their stranded vehicles. Some areas that received significant flooding included Third and Fourth Streets along Bay Avenue, 30th Street and 34th Street between West, Simpson and Haven Avenues. The city closed the Route 52 causeway at 3:00 PM EDT on the 12th, and closed it again from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT during high tides. The 34th Street Bridge into Upper Township (Cape May County) was open to traffic for only one lane. Law enforcement received numerous calls about downed utility wires and minor power outages. Trash and debris floated in neighborhood streets as the floodwaters rose during the afternoon high tide on the 12th. On West 17th Street, plastic portable toilets from neighboring construction sites floated down the road. Cape May County declared a limited state of emergency from May 12th to the 13th due to the Nor���easter. At 9:15 PM EDT, Atlantic City Electric reported 16,521 customers in Cape May County and nearly 9,100 customers in Atlantic County were without power.
Cape May County declared a state of emergency due to flooding at 2:00 PM EDT on the 12th. The flooding occurred on all the barrier islands, and people left on their own, but it was not mandatory. Schools were closed in Wildwood, North Wildwood and West Wildwood due to tidal flooding, and the Route 52 causeway between Ocean City and Somers Point had to be closed at 2:00 PM EDT on the 12th because of flooding. A 25-foot recreational boat docked behind a home near 18th Street in Ocean City was swamped and sunk. Schools in the Wildwoods closed and Ocean City dismissed early to avoid the worst of the flooding. An Upper Township woman who tried to drive from Strathmere through Sea Isle City became trapped at about 3:00 PM EDT on the 12th after her car stalled near 23rd Street and Landis Avenue. She was rescued by boat without incident. Lower Township Police reported multiple wires, utility poles and trees down. Several houses sustained structural damage when trees fell onto them. The North Wildwood Mayor reported downed wires with even some roofs removed from the strong winds. A live electrical line came down on a Lower Township school bus but there were no children on board, and the driver was able to get away without being injured. A section of dock at Dad's Place Marina on Ocean Drive in Middle Township was lifted and twisted apart on the 12th by high winds and waves.
Bridges into Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Wildwood and Avalon (Cape May County) were closed on the 12th, and two of the three major routes into Atlantic City (Atlantic County) were also closed. Some schools were closed or dismissed early on the 12th. Atlantic City, the Wildwoods and Cape May County governments declared states of emergency. Atlantic Electric reported more than 45,000 of its New Jersey customers were without power.
Tidal flooding was widespread along the New Jersey Shore, in the minor to moderate range. The tidal gage at Sandy Hook peaked at 7.8 feet mean lower low water at 3:00 PM on the 12th; the Atlantic City gage peaked at 7.40 feet mean lower low water at 1:00 AM EDT on the 12th; the Atlantic City Marina gage (back bay) peaked at 8.7 feet mean lower low water at 1:00 AM EDT on the 12th; and the Cape May Ferry Terminal gage peaked at 8.1 feet mean lower low water at 2:00 AM on the 12th. Moderate flooding begins at 7.7 feet mean lower low water, except at the Atlantic City Marina gage where there is no established flood stage.
Some peak wind gusts included: 78 mph in Ocean City; 76 mph in Sea Isle City; 66 mph in Cape May (Coop) and Atlantic City (NJDOT station); 64 mph in Fortescue; 62 mph in Avalon and Harvey Cedars; 59 mph at Barnegat Light and at the Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona; 57 mph in Tabernacle; 56 mph in Hillsborough; 55 mph in Seaside Heights; 52 mph in Sea Girt; 50 mph Bivalve; 48 mph at the Millville Airport; 47 mph in Woodstown; 46 mph at the Trenton-Mercer County Airport; and 44 mph in Pittstown. Some rainfall totals included: 1.77 inches at the Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona; 1.22 inches in Franklin Township; 1.18 inches in Brick; 1.16 inches in Estell Manor; and 1.07 inches in Manasquan.
According to a New Jersey State coastal storm survey, the following impacts to the beaches was reported.
In Monmouth County, a sloping cut of 2 to 4 feet high by 25 to 50 feet wide was evident with some spots to 5 feet high. The largest sloping cut was generally from Bradley Beach on southward where windblown sand was reported along with no reported damage.
In Ocean County, a sloping cut of generally 3 to 4 feet high by 50 feet to 75 feet wide was evident. Several locations, which included, Barnegat Light, Loveladies, Long Beach Township, Brand Beach, Beach Haven to Holgate, had a 6 to 8 foot (locally 10 feet or more) vertical by 6 to 10 foot horizontal cut to the dune system. Damage to the dune fencing and even some poles were washed up on the beach. At Beach Haven, the temporary dune at Merivale was washed away, and waves overwashed onto the street to Long Beach Boulevard. In Holgate, there were sporadic cuts in the dune system throughout the town, which totaled approximately 600 linear feet. The groins were exposed at the dune toe in Bay Head.
In Atlantic County, a sloping cut of 1 to 2 feet high by 25 feet to 50 feet wide was reported along with no reported damage.
In Cape May County, a sloping cut of generally 1 to 3 feet high to locally 4 feet high by 25 feet to 75 feet wide was reported. The vertical cut was generally up to 3 feet, however it reached up to 7 feet in Ocean City, with the horizontal cut averaging 2 to 5 feet. In Strathmere, about 80 percent of the emergency beachfill near Seaview was lost. Also, the corner of the Seaview roadway was partially undermined due to the loss of sand, and the bulkhead was completely exposed. Damage was done to dune fencing in Sea Isle City and there was damage done to the access steps near the promenade. In Avalon, windblown sand was reported and the geotubes and groin were exposed from 14th Street to 17th Street. In the Wildwoods, there was some damage done to the fencing, and there was forebeach flooding.

High Wind in EASTERN OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 04:00:00 to 12-MAY-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Peak wind gusts during the early morning hours of the 12th, included 62 mph at Harvey Cedars, 59 mph at Barnegat Light and 55 mph at Seaside Heights.

High Wind in WESTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 04:00:00 to 12-MAY-08 10:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Peak wind gusts during the early morning hours of the 12th, included 62 mph at Harvey Cedars, 59 mph at Barnegat Light and 55 mph at Seaside Heights.

Coastal Flood in EASTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 01:00:00 to 12-MAY-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Tidal flooding was widespread along the New Jersey Shore, in the minor to moderate range. The tidal gage at Sandy Hook peaked at 7.8 feet mean lower low water at 3:00 PM on the 12th. Moderate flooding begins at 7.7 feet mean lower low water.

Coastal Flood in WESTERN MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 02:00:00 to 12-MAY-08 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Tidal flooding was widespread along the New Jersey Shore, in the minor to moderate range. The tidal gage at Sandy Hook peaked at 7.8 feet mean lower low water at 3:00 PM on the 12th. Moderate flooding begins at 7.7 feet mean lower low water.

Coastal Flood in EASTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 00:00:00 to 12-MAY-08 02:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Tidal flooding was widespread minor to locally moderate in Atlantic County. The tidal gage at Atlantic City peaked at 7.4 feet mean lower low water at 1:00 AM EDT on the 12th. This is just below moderate, however moderate coastal flooding during high tide was reported. In addition, the Atlantic City Marina gage (back bay) peaked at 8.7 feet mean lower low water at 1:00 AM EDT on the 12th. Moderate flooding begins at 7.7 feet mean lower low water, except at the Atlantic City Marina gage where there is no established flood stage.

Coastal Flood in WESTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 01:00:00 to 12-MAY-08 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Tidal flooding was widespread minor to locally moderate in Atlantic County. The tidal gage at Atlantic City peaked at 7.4 feet mean lower low water at 1:00 AM EDT on the 12th. This is just below moderate, however moderate coastal flooding during high tide was reported. In addition, the Atlantic City Marina gage (back bay) peaked at 8.7 feet mean lower low water at 1:00 AM EDT on the 12th. Moderate flooding begins at 7.7 feet mean lower low water, except at the Atlantic City Marina gage where there is no established flood stage.

Coastal Flood in EASTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 01:00:00 to 12-MAY-08 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Tidal flooding was widespread along the New Jersey Shore, in the minor to moderate range. The tidal gage at the Cape May Ferry Terminal peaked at 8.1 feet mean lower low water at 2:00 AM on the 12th. Moderate flooding begins at 7.7 feet mean lower low water.

Coastal Flood in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 03:00:00 to 12-MAY-08 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Tidal flooding was widespread along the New Jersey Shore and along the coast of Delaware Bay, in the minor to moderate range. The tidal gage at the Cape May Ferry Terminal peaked at 8.1 feet mean lower low water at 2:00 AM on the 12th. Moderate flooding begins at 7.7 feet mean lower low water.

High Wind in EASTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 07:30:00 to 12-MAY-08 12:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Peak winds during the morning of the 12th included, 66 mph at a Atlantic City New Jersey Department of Transportation station and 59 mph at the Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona.

High Wind in WESTERN ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 07:30:00 to 12-MAY-08 12:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Peak winds during the morning of the 12th included, 66 mph at a Atlantic City New Jersey Department of Transportation station and 59 mph at the Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona.

High Wind in EASTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 02:30:00 to 12-MAY-08 10:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A peak wind gust of 78 mph was reported in Ocean City right along the shore during the early morning hours of the 12th. This reported was relayed by the Broadcast Media which received the measurement from a viewer who has a weather station. There was also are reported of a measured gust to 76 mph at 10:00 AM EDT on the 12th at Sea Isle City. The Cape May Harbor had a wind gust to 62 mph.

High Wind in WESTERN CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 00:30:00 to 12-MAY-08 10:30:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

A peak wind gust of 58 mph was reported at the Cape May County Airport during the early morning hours of the 12th.

High Wind in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 02:00:00 to 12-MAY-08 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A peak wind gust to 64 mph was reported in Fortesque, which occurred during the very early morning hours of the 12th.

Coastal Flood in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 12-MAY-08 01:00:00 to 12-MAY-08 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: C-MAN Station

Tidal flooding was widespread along the New Jersey Shore, in the minor to moderate range. The tidal gage at Sandy Hook peaked at 7.8 feet mean lower low water at 3:00 PM on the 12th. Moderate flooding begins at 7.7 feet mean lower low water.