‘Major Flooding’ Expected In NJ During Tuesday Storm: Latest Forecast

NEW JERSEY - A fierce storm set to bring up heavy rain, moderate to major flooding and wind gusts up to 65 mph that could leave tens of thousands of residents without power is slated to hit the Garden State Tuesday.

A state of emergency issued by Gov. Phil Murphy ahead of the storm goes into effect across the state at 5 p.m.

Forecasters say the storm will bring 2 to 3 inches of rain, with four inches possible in the hardest hit areas north of I-95. The heaviest rain will fall from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday, with several rivers slated to experience “moderate to major flooding” across northern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service said.

"We are expecting substantial and severe flooding," New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Pat Callahan said at a news conference Monday. "This one is not to be taken lightly at all."

AccuWeather meteorologists even warn of "dangerous to life-threatening conditions" stemming from rapid flooding, downed trees, high winds and darkness Tuesday night.

Power outages could be widespread and long lasting, especially in remote areas, AccuWeather added, with the most ferocious wind gusts expected to happen overnight.

The storm has sparked a “heightened concern” for river flooding, including the Passaic and Raritan rivers; flooding at the shore and in South Jersey, as well as in urban and small steam areas, are all possible. Snowfall from last weekend’s winter storm will increase runoff and flooding potential, forecasters said. Read more: Raritan, Millstone Rivers Projected To Flood Wednesday

“Heavy rain on top of already very saturated ground and rivers running higher, plus snow melt across the north could lead to widespread and significant flooding,” the National Weather Service said. “Higher rain fall rates could result in urban flooding and even some flash flooding.”

A high wind warning has been issued for South Jersey and the shore from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. Wednesday. A coastal flood warning is also in effect for South Jersey from 9 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday. The entire state is under a flood watch through Wednesday afternoon.

Residents are urged to avoid being on the road until the storm passes, Murphy said. Those who must drive should slow down, use caution and plan extra travel time especially during the evening commuting hours.

“Some roads become impassable,” the National Weather Service said. “Minor damage to vulnerable structures may begin to occur … tidal flooding could be significantly enhanced if the surge is more timed with high tide and combined with runoff from heavy rain.”

Wednesday should be mostly dry (save for lingering early morning showers) but windy with gusts up to about 40 mph.

Here's the latest forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Tuesday: A chance of rain and snow between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., then rain. High near 48. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 12 to 17 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly before 4 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 55 by midnight. Windy, with a south wind 23 to 28 mph becoming south 17 to 22 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10 a.m. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 43 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a southwest wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Southwest wind 9 to 15 mph.

Central Jersey

Tuesday: Rain, mainly after 11 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 51. Breezy, with an east wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly before 3 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 47. Windy, with a southeast wind 25 to 30 mph becoming south 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 42 by 5 p.m. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph.

South Jersey

Tuesday: Rain, mainly after 11 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 54. Breezy, with a southeast wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly before 2 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 45. Windy, with a south wind 25 to 30 mph becoming southwest 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 48. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. West wind 5 to 15 mph.