Gov. Christie calls out Margate for lack of storm planning

SEA ISLE CITY, N.J. (WPVI) -- While the coastal storm pummeling the New Jersey shore appears to be diminishing, moderate to major flood is still expected.

That was the word from Gov. Chris Christie on Friday afternoon.

Christie attended a flooding and storm briefing with officials in Sea Isle City and held a news conference afterward.

During the conference, some of the governor's other comments stirred up a controversy.

A combative Christie singled out the residents of Margate who have resisted a plan to build protective dunes, and tied up the project in federal court.

"To towns like Margate, you know, you are amongst the most selfish people in the state of New Jersey," said Christie.

"If this hurricane had come to shore, the damage that would have been done to lives and property in Margate, I hope it's worth the vanity act that your all engaging in," he said.

The state wants to take the beachfront through eminent domain.

Margate's mayor said the city is already protected by an effective sea wall, adding it's "a shame" Christie made that kind of comment about them.

While no major power outages have been reported and no evacuations have been ordered, Christie advised residents of four southern New Jersey counties - Salem, Cape May, Atlantic and Ocean - to remain vigilant.

Those counties are still likely to suffer moderate to major flooding.

The National Weather Service issued coastal flood warnings Friday with widespread tidal flooding expected during high tides throughout this weekend.