BRIANA: Between wind and record-breaking tides, the powerful nor'easter left a major mark along the Jersey shore.

Coastal communities from Cape May to Monmouth County were hit hard by flooding and erosion, with the heart of storm season still ahead.

Experts say this could be just the beginning.

Joanna Gagis reports.

>> This was a significant nor'easter for most of the Jersey shore.

This was a top 10 flood event for Southern Monmouth County all the way down to Cape May.

>> The nor'easter that struck the state, blasting the shore with gale force winds through today, caused flooding along the coast.

>> There were some areas that saw up to five consecutive high tides in flood stage.

The most significant were in the central part of Ocean County, where Towns saw the record highest tied.

>> It is the highest tied since hurricane Sandy.

>> The floods were a result of the wind, says a meteorologist.

>> We had about 36-48 hours of sustained Northeast gale force winds, sustained winds with stronger gusts up to storm force which is around 60 miles per hour.

>> Island Beach State Park and Avalon were two towns that saw storm force winds pushing water inland, says the founder of a Jersey-based meteorology service .

About a dozen people had to be rescued from cars in Sea Girt.

The fire department gave this young man a ride home when his school bus was stranded.

>> Residents posted sea levels taking over streets and properties.

Some good news, no deaths were reported in New Jersey.

A total of three people died in other states from incidents related to the storms.

They are concerned about the storms impact on beach erosion.

>> This is not a good situation because of what we saw in late August with Erin, which brought beach erosion.

Beaches are in bad shape in particular the northern end of Avalon which has Cliffs from where you would try to walk down to the beach.

North Wildwood, another hot for erosion.

>> Significant flooding throughout this borough and the mayor is worried about erosion.

>> That is the biggest headline, how much sand we lost.

I did a tour of the beach this morning and monitored it throughout the storm.

The amount of sand lost was massive.

We will be looking to federal and state partners to try to help replenish that.

>> Every time I see floodwaters rising it feels like it happens all the time.

I wonder how resilient are these homes and businesses, especially post-Sandy?

Are these floods having major impacts that are costly for residents and business owners?

>> The reality is people are more prepared than ever.

Homes are lifted, the warning systems are better than ever.

What we need his help from federal and state governments in terms of public infrastructure.

We have our northern border of town that is a lake connected to the ocean.

We saw flooding there.

The water comes over the street and makes it impassable and it is one of the main routes in and out of town.

A 4 foot retaining wall along the road would make the road passable for the entirety of an event like this.

>> He says it is critical for people to get in and out of town.

Throughout the day today, the flood advisory was in effect along the shore.

>> We are expecting an additional round of widespread vinyl -- minor coastal flooding this evening.

That will be especially the case for the Back Bay bays of Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May County's.

>> Given that timing, meteorologists worry about the frequency and severity of the storms.

>> This is not where you want to be in mid October considering we have another six months of potential nor'easter's to come.

We are not done with hurricane season yet.

That is until November 30.

>> The worst is likely over, but deep concerns remain of the resilience of the coast.

I'm Joanna Gagis.