At Shore, power outages and closed bridges

It isn't exactly a beach day at the Jersey Shore, where the ocean breezes today have been whipping a steady snow upon the strands and boardwalks of barrier islands in Atlantic and Cape May counties.

About 11,000 Atlantic City Electric customers were reported to be without power in pockets through the region including parts of Brigantine, Upper Township and Wildwood as snow and ice was accumulating on power lines and cutting service. A utility spokeswoman said power is expected to be restored later today in most areas.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts announced that its Cape May Christmas Candlelight House Tour for tonight, which usually attracts thousands of people from throughout the region, has been cancelled.

The icy conditions have also closed causeway bridges leading into and out of Wildwood and Ocean City, according to Emergency Management officials in Atlantic and Cape May counties.

The Route 52 Causeway between Ocean and Somers Point was closed by 10 a.m. because of icing and visibility problems on stretches of the roadway which is under construction where a new bridge is being built.

The George Redding Bridge between Wildwood and Lower Township was closed by noon because of slippery conditions and numerous accidents reported, officials said.

Coastal flooding has also closed Townsends Inlet Bridge between the south end of Sea Isle City and the north end of Avalon, according to the Cape May Office of Emergency Management.

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is suspending service between the Jersey and Delaware shores as of 2:30 p.m. today until conditions improve.