POINT PLEASANT BEACH, N.J. (AP) - The Latest on winter weather in New Jersey (all times local):
6:15 p.m.
A winter storm has damaged part of the sea wall at the Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach.
Pounding surf at the point where the inlet becomes the Manasquan River bashed a 10-foot hole in the sea wall on Tuesday, destroying a park near a monument to fishermen who lost their lives at sea.
The area near the U.S. Coast Guard station in Point Pleasant Beach was badly eroded by the surging water, and sand is covering the roadway near the breach, but the road remains passable.
The damage occurred at a bend where the inlet ends and the Manasquan River begins, and was the scene of significant damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
5:50 p.m.
Gov. Chris Christie is lifting the state of emergency he ordered as a major winter storm was bearing down on New Jersey.
But the storm turned out to be more of a nuisance than a headache for most residents.
Southern areas saw mostly rain, while a little snow fell in central areas. But double-digit snowfalls were reported in northern Jersey, where gusty winds were blowing snow and causing some traffic problems.
The Republican governor was still urging residents to stay off the roads on Tuesday night, so crews could continue their cleanup efforts. He also warned that black ice and slick conditions could be a problem across the state.
Christie says all state offices will reopen Wednesday and resume normal operating hours.
4:20 p.m.
A winter storm that spared most of New Jersey is now making its way out of the region.
Double-digit snowfall totals were reported in many northern Jersey areas on Tuesday. But the rest of the state saw little snow from the expected major storm that Gov. Chris Christie says turned out to be an “under performer.”
The Republican governor is still urging residents to stay off the roads so crews can continue their cleanup efforts, especially in northern Jersey. He says the state of emergency remains in effect but will likely be lifted by Tuesday night.
Roughly 30,000 utility customers were still without power Tuesday afternoon. But Christie says most should have it restored by Wednesday morning at the latest.
He also expects that state offices will reopen on Wednesday.
2 p.m.
Tuesday’s winter storm was taking a bite out of some New Jersey beaches.
The strong northeast winds and roiling surf were expected to cause erosion at many spots.
In the Toms River section of Ortley Beach, one of the Jersey shore’s most vulnerable spots, the storm washed away about 10 percent of the man-made dune that officials pushed up against the boardwalk.
Erosion also was taking place in Atlantic City, Seaside Heights and several other shore communities. But it was difficult to immediately assess the extent of the damage until the surf receded.
In Point Pleasant Beach, a small memorial park dedicated to fishermen who lost their lives at sea was inundated by flooding from the Manasquan Inlet, with only a bronze statue of a fisherman peeking above the waves.
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1:30 p.m.
Roughly 33,000 people are without power in New Jersey as a winter nor’easter hit parts of the state with wind gusts of more than 30 mph and whipping rain, sleet and snow.
PSE&G was reporting about 14,000 customers without power Tuesday afternoon, while Atlantic City Electric said about 12,400 customers had no service. Jersey Central Power & Light had about 6,500 without power.
The power outages come as parts of Atlantic City and other towns in southern New Jersey dealt with tidal flooding. But those problems were easing as the storm moved out.
The tide reached 7.8 feet in Atlantic City Tuesday morning, just short of the 8-foot threshold that can lead to major flooding.
Noon
Gov. Chris Christie says it’s “a tale of three storms” in New Jersey.
He says southern areas have mostly seen rain and sleet, while central areas are seeing a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and a little snow. Northern areas have mostly seen snow and strong winds, making it more difficult to clear roadways.
Flooding was also a problem in Atlantic City, where fire department crews were dealing with multiple storm-related calls.
Although most areas are seeing less snow than expected, Christie is still urging residents to stay off the roads so crews can do their work.
Sussex County had seen the most snow so far, with National Weather Service trained spotters reporting 17 inches near Wantage, 16.5 in Montague and 14.5 inches in Highland Lakes.
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11:15 a.m.
New York-area airports are open, but airlines have cancelled nearly 3,000 flights due to Tuesday’s nor’easter.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says travelers using LaGuardia, JFK and Newark Liberty airports should check with their airlines.
The agency says bridges and tunnels including the George Washington Bridge are open, but have speed restrictions.
New York’s Port Authority Bus Terminal is open, but commuter and long-haul carriers have cancelled service until further notice.
The storm had left more than 40,000 utility customers in New Jersey without power as of 11 a.m.
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This item has been corrected to note the number of flights cancelled is nearly 3,000, not more than 3,300.
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10 a.m.
More than 35,000 people are without power in New Jersey as a winter nor’easter blasts parts of the state with wind gusts of more than 30 mph and whipping rain, sleet and snow.
PSE&G and Atlantic City Electric were both reporting about 15,000 without power Tuesday morning. Jersey Central Power & Light had about 5,500 without power.
The power outages come as parts of Atlantic City and other towns in southern New Jersey deal with tidal flooding.
The tide reached 7.8 feet in Atlantic City Tuesday morning, just short of the 8-foot threshold that can lead to major flooding.
Southern New Jersey did not get much snow from the storm, but a blizzard warning is in effect in the northwest part of the state.
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9:45 a.m.
Parts of Atlantic City and other towns in southern New Jersey are dealing with tidal flooding from the winter nor’easter.
A homeowner posted video on Twitter of water streaming down their block and one major roadway was closed due to the flooding.
The tide reached 7.8 feet in Atlantic City Tuesday morning, just short of the 8-foot threshold that can lead to major flooding.
Route 322 in West Atlantic City was shutdown, as were some smaller streets around the area.
The flooding comes as more than 10,000 customers are without power in New Jersey as a winter nor’easter blasts parts of the state with wind gusts of more than 30 mph and whipping rain, sleet and snow.
Southern New Jersey did not get much snow from the storm, but a blizzard warning is in effect in the northwest part of the state.
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9 a.m.
More than 10,000 customers are without power in New Jersey as a winter nor’easter blasts parts of the state with wind gusts of more than 30 mph and whipping rain, sleet and snow.
Both Atlantic City Electric and PSE&G were reporting more than 5,000 without power Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service says warm air on Tuesday has brought about a rapid change of the precipitation to sleet and rain south of Interstate 195.
Along the coast, there is a risk for flooding during high tide, between 9:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
A blizzard warning is in effect in the northwest part of the state, where forecasters say there is still the potential for a foot or more snow.
Driving conditions are slippery, but traffic is lighter than usual.
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8 a.m.
A winter nor’easter is blasting parts of New Jersey with wind gusts of more than 30 mph and whipping rain, sleet and snow.
The National Weather Service says warm air on Tuesday has brought about a rapid change of the precipitation to sleet and rain south of Interstate 195.
Along the coast, there is a risk for flooding during high tide, between 9:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
A blizzard warning is in effect from Interstate 195 to the north, where forecasters say there is still the potential for a foot or more snow.
Nearly 8 inches of snow has fallen in Wantage and there is 4 inches in Flemington. Old Bridge has received 2 inches.
Driving conditions are slippery, but traffic is lighter than usual.
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