Mercer County Officials Urge Preparedness As Ida Hits New Jersey

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Remnants of Ida are expected to hit New Jersey on Wednesday and Thursday, with forecasters predicting the system to bring severe thunderstorms, damaging wind gusts, and flash flooding to the Garden State. Power outages and a tornado is even possible in South Jersey.

Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected to begin Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes is advising County residents to plan and prepare for potential flooding and possible tornadoes.

“Tropical storms and hurricanes can be deadly and destructive, even as far inland as Mercer County,” Hughes said in a public statement.

“It’s essential that you and your family be ready before a storm strikes, and not put yourselves or others at risk by waiting until the last minute to prepare. I urge our residents to use extreme caution on the roads and to never attempt to drive through flooded roadways."

Here are some tips released by Hughes’ office to help you prepare:

Make a plan: You may not be home or with your family when an emergency occurs, so have a plan for getting everyone back together in a safe place. The plan should also include what to do if you must shelter at home or evacuate, and emergency contacts near and far from home. Make sure your family and everyone involved knows the plan, including children and emergency contacts.

Create a kit: The emergency preparedness kit should include a stockpiled supply of items, consisting of at least a three-day supply of bottled water, non-perishable foods, and essential medications set aside for each member of your family and your pets. You can also include important documents and supplies for eating, bathing, safety, and entertainment. Have a portable, crank or solar-powered USB charger on hand for your cell phone.

Stay informed: Check all types of media including websites, newspapers, radio, TV, mobile, and land phones for global, national, and local information. During an emergency, the local Emergency Management or Emergency Services office will provide you with information about things such as open shelters and evacuation orders.

Also, register for the Mercer County emergency notification system by visiting www.mercercounty.org and clicking on “Alert Mercer” at the top of the home page. More information can be found in Mercer County's Preparing for Emergencies handbook.

To report a power outage, click here.

Emergency communication plans for parents, kids and those traveling between work and home are available at www.ready.gov/make-a-plan. For information about emergency preparedness, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign at www.ready.gov and the New Jersey Department of Health.

Forecasters said the "enhanced risk" area for tornadoes has moved further north on Wednesday to include Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties.

The National Weather Service has issued flood watches for the entire state as of Wednesday. The service predicts that three to six inches of rain will fall across New Jersey, with northern parts of the state - including Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, and Warren counties - expected to see higher rainfall totals.

Flash flooding is especially possible near rivers, streams, and areas with poor drainage. Water is expected to cover roads in the Garden State as Ida passes, with flooding particularly likely in low-lying areas.

Ida has weakened since landfall in Louisiana, and officials downgraded the event to a tropical depression Monday evening as it moved across Mississippi. Ida sustained maximum winds near 30 mph, with higher gusts, as of 5 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The agency expects little change in the storm's strength through Thursday.

Here's the latest forecast:

Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 76. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Low around 63. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 p.m., then a slight chance of showers. Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 75. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

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