All Of NJ Under Flash Flood Watch As Ida Approaches: See Forecast

NEW JERSEY — Though Hurricane Ida has weakened to a tropical depression as of Tuesday morning, forecasters still expect the state to feel its impacts this week, with up to six or more inches of rain and severe thunderstorms expected across New Jersey.

The National Weather Service has issued flood watches for the entire state. For 16 counties covered by the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, the watch starts at 8 a.m. Wednesday through 2 p.m. Thursday. For the remaining five counties - Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties - the flash flood watch starts at 2 p.m. Wednesday and expires at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Flash flooding is especially possible by rivers, streams and areas with poor drainage. Water is expected to cover roads, particularly in low lying areas.

"Combined with wet antecedent conditions, [the tropical depression] will lead to numerous instances of flash flooding, some of which may be significant," the National Weather Service said Thursday.

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 3 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The agency expects little change in the storm's strength over the next two days.

In the Garden State, the heaviest rainfall from the weather system is expected late Wednesday afternoon through the overnight hours, according to the National Weather Service. The highest amounts are expected north and west of the I-95 corridor, although residents across the state may likely see two to five inches of rain.

Thunderstorms and damaging wind gusts capable of downing trees and powerlines are possible in southeast New Jersey. Flash flooding may very well be in the cards, especially in areas where the ground is already saturated from previous storms. There’s also a slight risk of isolated tornadoes and localized power outages, the service said.

“The threat for flooding is high,” the agency added, noting that while North Jersey may see more flooding, South Jersey is likely to see more severe thunderstorms and outages.

[7:50 PM] A period of heavy rain is expected across the region Wednesday into Thursday as the remnants of Ida moves through. The threat for flooding is high. Our latest briefing is available at: https://t.co/JiD09By93X #pawx #njwx #dewx #mdwx pic.twitter.com/8kLghkYQli
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) August 30, 2021

Parts of North Jersey may see even greater rainfall, potentially exceeding 6 inches in Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset and Warren counties.

“Numerous instances of flash flooding are likely Wednesday and Wednesday night, with some events possibly significant since the ground is saturated from recent heavy rains,” the weather service said.

How to prepare:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration encourages people in Atlantic states to download the FEMA mobile app. Find tips for hurricane preparedness at ready.gov.

Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30. There is a 60 percent chance of an above-normal hurricane season this year, according to the NOAA.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85. North wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers, mainly after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 7 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 74. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 66. East wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 p.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.