Jersey Shore Towns Deal With Flooding, Heavy Rain While Preparing For Joaquin

By Diana Rocco

SEA ISLE CITY, N.J., (CBS) -- New Jersey shore towns are dealing with flooding and heavy rain.

Worries are growing about what could be coming -- courtesy of Joaquin.

From Atlantic City to Sea Isle City, the Jersey shore is once again bracing for days of bad weather and maybe more.

"Came down to take the boat out of the water and take the deck furniture off the deck," said Art Condodina.

Homeowner Art Condodina came down from North Jersey to secure his newly purchased shore house in Sea Isle, calling it a season ahead of this recent round of coastal flooding and the possibility of Joaquin.

"Prepare for the worst hope for the best," he said.

Towns are in full on preparation mode. The Mayor of Sea Isle says their Public Works Department has been at it all day.

"In precaution we're taking down things like our banners, moving in trash cans, battening down the hatches," said Mayor of Sea Isle Leonard Desiderio.

Sandy and Irene before it eroded nearly half of their beaches in some places.  A $25 million beach replenishment project still in progress has put it back after Sandy brought water all the way up to the Promenade.

"I'm just hopeful, hopeful, and praying that we do not receive too much damage," said Mayor Desiderio.

In Ocean City and Margate they are already starting to see some minor flooding and its only expected to get worse with rising tides and rain. Sand bags are at the ready and towns have prepared their emergency vehicles, moving everything to higher ground. Residents are planning to evacuate if necessary.

"Making me think about wanting to move. It's the truth, I'm not happy with it at all, not happy at all," said Angie Giampietro.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has already declared a State of Emergency.