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NJ Flood Watch Issued: Flash Flooding Threatens 12 Counties
20 Aug
Summary
- Flood watch issued for 12 New Jersey counties due to heavy rain threat.
- Storms could produce rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour.
- Southern half of New Jersey has a slight risk of excessive rainfall.
A flood watch has been issued for twelve counties across New Jersey, effective from Thursday noon until Friday 2 a.m. This alert signals the potential for significant rainfall from approaching showers and thunderstorms, which could cause flash flooding. The affected counties include Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, and Somerset.
Forecasters predict waves of showers and isolated thunderstorms will move into the state by Thursday afternoon, driven by a drifting cold front. These storms are capable of producing intense downpours, with rainfall rates potentially reaching 2 to 3 inches per hour. Such heavy rain can quickly overwhelm drainage systems, leading to rapid flooding on streets and highways, and likely causing travel disruptions during the evening commute.
The Weather Prediction Center indicates that most of the southern half of New Jersey has a slight risk of experiencing excessive rainfall on Thursday. This risk level is categorized as the second of four tiers, signifying a notable potential for flooding in the region.
