The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flood watch for North Jersey, effective from noon to 10 p.m. Thursday, August 26, covering Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, and Sussex counties.
The watch includes the Metro New York area, with heavy rainfall and possible thunderstorms forecasted to begin midday Thursday. The NWS warns that some areas could receive up to 3 inches of rain, with rainfall rates reaching 1.5 to 2.5 inches per hour in the strongest storms.
Flooding risks
The NWS has cautioned that excessive runoff may lead to flooding in rivers, creeks, streams, and low-lying areas, particularly in urban and poor-drainage zones. Creeks and streams could rise out of their banks, and flooding may occur rapidly in areas with inadequate drainage systems.
Geographic scope
The flood watch extends beyond North Jersey, covering portions of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. The Mount Holly NWS office has issued a watch for northern Delaware, central and northern New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania, including Wilmington, Philadelphia, Camden, Trenton, and New Brunswick. A separate watch from the New York NWS office covers southern Connecticut, northeastern New Jersey, and southeastern New York, including New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, and Westchester County.
Expected impacts
Forecasters anticipate 1 to 2 inches of widespread rainfall, with localized areas potentially receiving 3 inches in short periods. Such rainfall rates can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to flooded roads and rapidly rising waterways. The New York State Office of Emergency Management issued a text alert on Wednesday afternoon regarding the watch.
Advisories and preparedness
Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor local forecasts and prepare for potential disruptions. The NWS has scheduled an update for 6 a.m. Thursday to provide further details as the storm system develops. Officials recommend avoiding low-lying areas and flood-prone zones during the watch period.