State of emergency declared for New Jersey ahead of storm and potential flooding

Yahoo

6 days ago

Acting Gov. Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency for New Jersey ahead of the storm expected to hit the region July 31.
"Due to the severe thunderstorms, with the potential of flash flooding, I have declared a State of Emergency across the state," Way stated. "Please monitor the proper channels for the duration of these storms. Remain off the roads and indoors unless necessary."
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for all of New Jersey and the surrounding region for July 31 to Aug. 1.
The watch is in effect from 2 p.m. Thursday to 2 p.m. Friday, said the National Weather Service New York.
Gov. Murphy says 'stay off the roads if possible'
Gov. Phil Murphy shared the National Weather Service advisory and noted the flood watch from 2 p.m. until 6 a.m. Aug. 1.
"Please plan ahead and stay off the roads if possible," Murphy stated on social media.
Way echoed the sentiment and added "please take all necessary precautions."
When will it rain in New Jersey today?
The rain is expected to start in the early afternoon. Rainfall could exceed two inches per hour at times. Rain started to fall by 2:30 p.m. in some parts of North Jersey.
"Scattered to numerous instances of urban, poor drainage and riverine flash flooding are possible. Localized severe flooding may cause an elevated threat to life and property, particularly Thursday afternoon and Thursday night," said the NWS.
How much rain will we get in NJ?
The National Weather Service Mount Holly, which covers Morris and Sussex counties, warned of potential rainfall totals of up to 2 inches per hour. One to 3 inches is expected but more is possible even 5 to 7 inches, NWS Mount Holly said. The National Weather Service New York issued a similar prediction. Most of the rain will come in a three-to-six hour window the afternoon of July 31 into the evening.
Per Dave Radell, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, the heavierst rain will likely fall between 3 and 9 p.m. July 31.
The entire area is expected to see between 1 and 3 inches of rain. Some locations, depending on "where these thunderstorms set up," may see more than three inches, Radell said.
Thunderstorms are possible as well. New Jersey has experienced multiple lightning fatalities this summer.
Flooding concerns following major NJ flooding event
Just over two weeks ago, parts of North and Central Jersey were battered with storms, some areas seeing up to 6.67 inches of rain. The heavy rainfall brought flooding, road closures and power outages across the state.
Now, as we head into the latest batch of storms, meteorologists are keeping an eye on some of the heaviest hit areas.
"Hudson, Essex, Union counties in particular where they were pretty hard hit from the storms back on July 14, any heavy rainfall that falls there, you know, for an area that's already in recovery, would not be good," Radell said. "Those counties in particular where they were hit hard we'll be watching."
As the rain begins to fall, Radell recommends that New Jersey residents monitor a trusted weather source and keep an eye out for flash flood warnings.
"With a warning that means that flood conditions are imminent or already occurring so those are what we encourage folks to pay attention to this afternoon and as we get into the evening," said Radell. "Things should start to wind down probably about 9 or 10 o'clock tonight, at least given the current forecast."
Cooler temperatures, nicer weather ahead
The rains follow an extreme heat wave in North Jersey where temperatures reached 100 degrees in some places.
Once the storms subside, temperatures are forecast to cool and North Jersey residents can expect dry weather at least through the beginning of next week, according to Radell, who said, "When we get through this afternoon we should be good to go thereafter."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Flood watch, state of emergency issued as heavy rainfall expected