A Flood Watch has been issued for a significant portion of New Jersey. The watch is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through late Wednesday night, as forecasters warn of the potential for flooding due to excessive rainfall.
The National Weather Service advises that areas including Eastern and Western Monmouth, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, Atlantic, Cape May, Camden, Gloucester, Burlington, Ocean and Salem counties are under the watch. Residents in these areas should be prepared for the possibility of flooding.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” stated a National Weather Service advisory. “Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.”
Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms through Wednesday could result in localized flash flooding and isolated damaging wind gusts.
The concern stems from an anticipated round of showers and thunderstorms expected to develop Wednesday afternoon and evening. With the ground already saturated from previous rainfall, it will not take much additional precipitation to trigger flooding. Rainfall rates could be significant, with some areas seeing around 2 to 3 inches per hour.
This latest weather alert comes amidst a period of unsettled weather for New Jersey, which has also been experiencing high heat and humidity, with heat indices reaching dangerous levels in recent days.
Authorities urge residents to monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action if flood warnings are issued. Those living in flood-prone areas should be particularly vigilant.
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This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ flood alert: Heavy rain threat for Monnouth, Ocean counties