Community Corner

High Winds, Flooding May Hit Area

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning and flood watch for today into tomorrow.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings for high winds and possible flooding for today into Saturday. According to the service, winds could gust up to 60 mph with rain falling into Saturday morning. In addition, the Raritan and Passaic rivers will see the greatest rise in water levels, and smaller creeks, streams and areas with poor drainage are likely areas of flooding.

According to the service, expect more rain today with possible thunderstorms this afternoon causing heavy rainfall. Winds will be between 20 mph and 23 mph with gusts as high as 55 mph. Rain is expected to taper off before 10 p.m. with winds still heavy.

The National Weather Service’s two warnings follow.

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High Wind Warning

  • Hazards: Locally damaging winds.
  • Winds: West 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph.
  • Timing: Strongest winds are expected this afternoon into the early evening.
  • Impacts: Widespread power outages are possible. Downed trees and tree limbs may damage structures and vehicles. The wind will make driving difficult, especially on bridges and overpasses.
  • Precautionary/preparedness actions: A high wind warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained wind speeds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage.

Special Weather Advisory – Flood Watch

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A flood watch is in effect through Saturday morning for portions of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren.

  • Rainfall amounts of one or two inches are possible during the watch period with the heaviest rain falling from the pre-dawn hours through the mid-afternoon hours.
  • Of the larger rivers in the watch area, the Passaic and Raritan will see the greatest rise in water levels with this event and need to be monitored. Flooding is not expected along the Delaware, the Lehigh or Schuylkill River.
  • Flooding is more probable along smaller creeks and streams and in areas of poor drainage where the hydrologic response is always greater. Snowmelt and thunderstorms could also add to the flood threat.
  • Although the rain will come to an end by Friday evening, some of the streams and rivers will not crest until Saturday.


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