Ida In NJ: Tornado Warnings, Thunderstorms In Forecast

Here are the latest developments as the storm arrives in New Jersey, updated at 7 p.m. Wednesday:

• A tornado warning was issued for several counties in New Jersey, including Camden, Burlington, Salem, Gloucester, Mercer, Somerset and Hunterdon. Residents are urged to take cover. Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Locals should not wait to see or hear a tornado. RELATED: What To Do When You Get Tornado Watch, Warning Alerts In NJ
• A flash flood warning is in effect for Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties through 11:30 p.m. Flash flooding is especially possible by creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
• At 702 p.m., a confirmed large and destructive tornado was observed over Beverly, or 12 miles southwest of Trenton, moving northeast at 40 mph.

• At 6:05 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Woodstown, or 13 miles southeast of Wilmington, moving northeast at 40 mph," the National Weather Service said. Those in the area should move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
• Middlesex Borough, which experienced flooding in the last major storm, is already warning residents to be prepared to evacuate their homes Wednesday night.
• In Mercer County, officials urged residents to plan and prepare for potential flooding and possible tornadoes. Read more: Mercer County Officials Urge Preparedness As Ida Hits New Jersey
• Ocean City, which saw severe flooding from heavy rain just this past weekend, is opening all municipal parking lots for free, safe parking during the storm. Read more: Ocean City Mayor Warns Of Flooding Through Thursday
• Gov. Phil Murphy warned that many communities are still waterlogged from last week's storms, heightening the risk of flash flooding. "If you are out and come across high waters, do not go into them," Murphy said. "Turn around, don't drown."
• A tornado watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. for central and northwestern New Jersey. A flash flood warning was also issued around 5:30 p.m. for Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties until 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
• The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 2 inches in 1 hour in the region, with additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches possible.
• A flash flood warning was also issued in North Jersey's Hunterdon and Warren counties, slated to end at 8:15 p.m.

Original report:

NEW JERSEY — The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for many New Jersey counties Wednesday afternoon amid anticipated thunderstorms, excessive rainfall, strong wind gusts and possible tornadoes through the evening.

Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected to begin Wednesday afternoon and continue through Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The storm system stems from remnants of Hurricane Ida, which shook southern portions of the United States earlier this week.

"The main threats from any thunderstorms that develop will be tornadoes and damaging wind gusts," the service said.

A tornado watch was issued Wednesday afternoon for 15 New Jersey counties on Wednesday afternoon through 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes. Read more: What To Do When You Get Tornado Watch, Warning Alerts In NJ

The watch includes these counties:

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

A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania until 10 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/qXpnekjn0d
— NWS Tornado (@NWStornado) September 1, 2021

The National Weather Service also issued flood watches for the entire state as of Tuesday. 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.

A flash flood watch is in effect through 8 a.m. Thursday for most counties, though it extends to 2 p.m. Thursday for Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union and Passaic counties.

“Many communities are still waterlogged from last week’s storm so Ida is going to be dropping water on already-saturated ground, heightening the threat of flash flooding,” Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday during a press conference. “The winds may gust in some places up to 30 or 35 [mph]. Please God, don’t let them get too high, because when you combine a lot of rain and soggy ground, trees are going to be looser and there could be significant tree and power line damage.”

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.

Marine warnings were in effect Wednesday morning for coastal areas, noting that strong winds, large hail and waterspouts could potentially develop. The National Weather Service issued a high rip current risk from Wednesday night through Thursday night for all Atlantic beaches in New Jersey.

“Entering the surf is discouraged. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help,” the service said.

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.

How to prepare:

The National Weather Service encourages people in areas under a tornado watch to review their emergency plans and determine a safe room.

If a tornado watch is upgraded to a tornado warning, it means there is "imminent danger to life and property," according to the service. People should be prepared to act quickly if a warning is issued and move to the lowest floor of a sturdy building away from windows.

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.