Trees Topple, Close Roads In Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — As the wind picks up trees are starting to topple in Somerset County.

Pond Hill Road and Martinsville Road southbound into Bridgewater is closed due downed trees and power lines. Avoid the area.

Crim Road closed between Mine Road and Mountain Top Road closed due to power lines across the road.

Mount Horeb Road is closed in Bridgewater between Washington Valley Road and Tower Road due to a tree down, said Bridgewater Police around 2:40 p.m.

The southbound lane of Washington Avenue in Green Brook is also closed until further notice due to tree down, said Green Brook Police.

A tornado watch has been extended in Somerset County until 10 p.m. Additionally, a wind advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. on Friday in Somerset County.

As of 2:45 p.m., JCP&L is reporting 500 customers without power in Basking Ridge, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Hillsborough, and Peapack and Gladstone.

Power is expected to be restored around 6:30 p.m., according to JCP&L.

PSE&G is reporting 45 customers without power in Bridgewater, Franklin, Hillsborough, Manville, Montgomery, and Rocky Hill.

Power is expected to be restored around 11:30 p.m., according to PSE&G.

A flood watch is also in effect for Somerset County until 1 a.m. on Saturday.

"Heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of Debby will produce rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches with locally higher amounts of 3 inches or more possible," according to the NWS.

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

Additionally, a wind advisory remains in effect until 8 p.m. on Friday in Somerset County.

Southeast winds 10 to 20 mph with occasional gusts of 45 to 50 mph are expected.

"Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Frequent gusts of 35 to 45 mph winds will be possible which when combined with saturated grounds will have the potential to bring down trees. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result," according to NWS.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely on Friday, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. Some of the storms could be severe.

Temperatures will see a high near 82 with a southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

There is an 80 percent chance of precipitation with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

The chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm will continue Friday night before midnight, then scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly between midnight and 3 a.m. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall.

Temperatures will drop to a low around 71.

There is a south wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.

There is an 80 percent chance of precipitation withew rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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