Hurricane Ida Remnants To Slam NJ This Week: See Timeline

NEW JERSEY — Remnants of Hurricane Ida are expected to move through the northeast on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing heavy rain and potential for flash flooding throughout the Garden State.

Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana on Sunday as a Category 4 storm (Ida has since been downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves northeast). When the storm made landfall in Louisiana Sunday morning, winds were reported to be as high as 150 mph, making it the fifth-strongest to ever hit the mainland United States.

The National Weather Service has already issued a flash flood watch for 16 New Jersey counties from Wednesday morning through Thursday night, with widespread 3 to 5 inches of rain expected. Higher amounts could exceed 6 inches of rainfall in parts of Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset and Warren counties.

The watch includes these counties:

• Salem
• Cumberland
• Cape May
• Atlantic
• Gloucester
• Camden
• Burlington
• Ocean
• Monmouth
• Mercer
• Middlesex
• Somerset
• Hunterdon
• Warren
• Sussex
• Morris

A Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for SE PA, NJ, and most of Delmarva for Wednesday morning through Thursday due to heavy rain associated with the remnants of Ida. The latest briefing package for this event can be found at: https://t.co/JiD09BPJVv #NJwx #PAwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/8vP9b6CV28
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) August 30, 2021

The weather service said flooding is possible in creeks, streams and areas with poor drainage. Water is expected to cover roads, particularly in low lying areas.

“Significant flooding and flash flooding is likely Wednesday and Wednesday night, especially given that the ground is saturated from recent heavy rain events,” the service said.

Severe thunderstorms and damaging winds are also possible over southeast New Jersey, capable of bringing down wires and trees. “Localized power outages are possible,” the weather service said.

As of Monday morning, a hazardous weather outlook has been issued for Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties, though this could be updated as the storm moves toward the region.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers, mainly after 8 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 76. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday: Showers likely, mainly before 2 p.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers before 8 p.m. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.