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Cape May County Braces For Storm While Remembering Hurricane Sandy's Destruction

BRIGANTINE, N.J. (CBS) --  A light wind was blowing over the water in Brigantine Thursday, the calm before what is sure to be an active winter storm.

"24 hours out, the best advice is to prepare for the worst," Jim Bennett, the Director of Emergency Management said.

With 7-8 foot tides for Cape May County over the weekend, flooding is the main concern. Emergency management is around the clock through the height of the storm.

They've been busy closing flood gates and beaches.

And while some businesses will remain open, the director of Office of Emergency Management in Brigantine is already asking residents to stay home.

"Prepare for flooding, high winds, the possibility we'll lose electricity," he said.

"Now we're all on guard for anything else that is headed our way," said Tina Spadafora Gushka.

Businesses up and down the shore spent the day taking in furniture and preparing for high winds and flooding.

In Sea Isle, the owner of Mike's Seafood moved the refrigerator and other equipment higher than the 34 inch high floodline left from Superstorm Sandy.

"After Sandy, we watch everything closer than we usually do. It's better to be prepared," owner Mike Monichetti said.

His Seafood cases are empty.

"There's no fresh claims mussels or shrimp. Since all of the fishing boats are tied in," he explained.

And now, many are hoping the beach replenishment projects will stick and help ward off the rising icy tide.

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