New Jersey declared it will enter a State of Emergency Thursday afternoon ahead of possible floods and severe thunderstorms which are expected to impact the area.
Acting Governor Tahesha Way declared that New Jersey will enter a State of Emergency at 2 p.m. “due to the potential for flash flooding, severe thunderstorms, intense rainfall, and damaging wind gusts.”
State officials said that rainfall of a total of 1 to 3 inches are predicted, but they can reach as high as 7 inches in certain areas. State officials warn that these conditions could result “in landslides, rock slides, and flooded roadways.”
“Beginning this afternoon, we are expecting severe thunderstorms to bring heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts with the potential for flash flooding across the state,” Way said. “I urge all New Jerseyans to remain alert, follow all safety protocols, and monitor the proper channels for the duration of these storms. Residents should remain off the roads and indoors unless absolutely necessary.”
For the latest forecast, click here.
This latest State of Emergency comes roughly two weeks after New Jersey made another similar declaration due to severe weather that resulted in deadly floods.
The Thursday afternoon storm threat that could wreak flood havoc, with rainfall rates exceeding 2 inches an hour possible at times.
Humidity will be lower than earlier in the week, mitigating the threat of severe weather, but these showers will tap into deep atmospheric moisture, producing very heavy rain and heightened flash flooding concerns.
New York City subways, for example, typically start experiencing issues at rainfall rates of one inch an hour. Thursday’s weather could bring rainfall rates three times that — and at one of the worst possible times of day.
A flood watch has been issued for the entire tri-state area, with forecasts showing a high likelihood of flooding in parts of New Jersey and New York, including the city. Check the latest weather alerts for your neighborhood here.
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