The National Weather Service says there's no doubt Sandy will have "severe impacts" on New Jersey no matter where it makes landfall.

New Jersey has started  to feel the effects of Sandy today as winds begin to pick up and heavy rains starts to fall in southern areas and moving north. The storm's biggest impact is expected on Monday and Monday night.

Not much has changed in the National Weather Service's latest briefing with  "strong damaging sustained winds" of 35-50 MPH expected as it arrives as more of an intense Nor'easter than a hurricane. "Major to record flooding" is expected on along rivers & streams and along the coast along with "extremely heavy rainfall." The strongest winds are expected east and south of the I-95 corridor.

Sustained wind gusts of 75 MPH are expected along the coast.

At some point, it's expected to become what's known as an extratropical storm. Unlike a tropical system like a hurricane, which gets its power from warm ocean waters, extratropical systems are driven by temperature contrasts in the
atmosphere.

NJ Transit will suspend operations starting at 4PM while PATH will stop service at 12:01AM Monday morning. New York subways and trains will stop running at 7PM Sunday night.

Governor Christie has closed state offices on Monday for non-essential personnel.


Governor Christie on Saturday declared a state of emergency, traveling to East Keansburg and North Wildwood after meeting with his cabinet at the Office of Emergency Management "bunker" in West Trenton where he plans to ride out the storm.

Many communities have voluntary evacuations under way. Belmar and parts of Manasquan are under a mandatory evacuation.


 

Toms River has postponed its annual Halloween Parade to a date to be announced following the storm.

Atlantic City's 12 casinos will close on Sunday for only the fourth time in the 34-year history of legalized gambling here. The approach of Hurricane Irene shut down the casinos for three days last August.

 



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