Heavy flooding hits NJ, even with Joaquin turning away

Heavy flooding was being seen in coastal New Jersey mid-day Friday, as storms continued to hit the state even while Hurricane Joaquin looked more and more likely to turn out to see.

Gov. Chris Christie warned Cape May and Atlantic counties were expected to get 1 to 3 feet of flooding and waves of 5 to 10 feet.

Flooding was occurring Friday afternoon in low-lying areas of southern New Jersey including the Strathmere section of Upper Township, and Sea Isle City, where tow truck drivers were being called on to retrieve cars stranded in flood waters, the Associated Press reports.

NJ.com reported that along South Green Street in Tuckerton, a man had to be rescued from his pickup truck as it remained in a pool of water. Other cars became disabled in the floods and motorists were unable to get to their vehicles, according to the report.

Patch reports a high tide around noon left several roads in Ocean City underwater.

Throughout the afternoon, residents, news media and others were tweeting video and photos of roads entirely washed out in several of those communities and others:

"It looks like we dodged a bullet this time," Christie said Friday afternoon of Joaquin's move away from the state. "Let's keep our fingers crossed."

But two major weather systems remain in play. The first is expected to continue dumping rain on New Jersey through Friday, and the National Weather Service issued coastal flood and high wind warnings along the shore and Delaware Bay through Sunday evening.

Gusts could reach 60 mph in some spots, knocking down limbs and power lines.

Joaquin itself still threatens to take a toll on the most southern areas of New Jersey, where moderate to major flooding could occur over the weekend and Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.