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New Jersey Governor: 'Get The Hell Off The Beach'

Governor Chris Christie: Get the Hell Off the Beach by GovChristie on YouTube

(credit: www.nj.gov/governor/)

TRENTON, NJ (CBS) -- New Jersey Governor Chris Christie urged everyone to get off of the barrier islands and away from the shore points. He's telling people the earlier they leave, the better off they will be.

Hundreds of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate. Residents and tourists alike are fleeing the Jersey beach resorts up and down the coast. Many of the evacuees are vacation-goers, spending the last week of the season soaking up the summer rays.

"Get the hell off the beach ... and get out," Governor Christie said during a late Friday afternoon news conference. "Get in your cars and get out of those areas."

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"We have the possibility of record flooding," said Christie. "So just by awful luck, this thing is hitting New Jersey at a time when we're at high tide, so the likelihood of flooding along the coast is overwhelming – and serious flooding along the coast – not just like you're feet are getting wet."

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The Governor is advising everyone in the Garden State to make sure they are prepared and their families are safe.

"The most important advice I can give ... is think, don't react," said Christie.

NOTE: The Garden State Parkway will be closed to southbound traffic south of Exit 98 beginning at 8pm and traffic will be rerouted to I-195 west.

Routes 47 and 347 in Cape May will be closed to eastbound traffic. All routes will be directed westward beginning at 6 p.m. Friday.

All gaming in Atlantic City has been suspended as of noon Saturday and there is no eastbound flow into Atlantic City after 6 p.m. Friday.

Web Extra: Governor Christie's Irene Update

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