Stay Away From Flooded Roads, Says Mercer Co. As Rains Expected

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Another round of heavy rain is expected to hit the region on Wednesday, one week after the remnants of Hurricane Ida brought tornadoes and flooding to Mercer County.

County officials have asked residents to keep an eye out for flooding and stay away from flooded roadways.

“Our waterways have receded to normal levels, but drivers should use caution and keep an eye out for local roadway flooding,” County officials said in a Facebook post.

“People should be aware of any rainfall and stay away from flooded roadways (obey the barricades) to protect yourself as well as those that would need to rescue you.”

Two people from Hopewell Township were killed in last week's flooding from Tropical Storm Ida. Three police officers had to be rescued from raging floodwaters after they hung on trees for two hours.

Read More Here: 'Miracle In Mercer:' 3 Police Officers Rescued In Ida Flash Flood

Read More Here: 2 Killed In Mercer County On Wednesday During Ida Flooding

Read More Here: VIDEO: Helicopter Rescues Princeton Man From Ida Flooding

On Tuesday, a flash flood watch was issued for Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex, Warren, and Union counties.

The National Weather Service warns that heavy rainfall could hit the region on Wednesday, bringing severe thunderstorms, hail, and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.

Wednesday's anticipated storm also brings the threat of damaging winds and isolated tornadoes, the National Weather Service said.

The Storm damage survey team confirmed an EF-0 tornado touched down in Princeton, with estimated peak winds up to 75 mph during the storm last week.

Read More Here: EF-0 Tornado Confirmed In Princeton During Ida Storm

Read More Here: Evacuations, State Of Emergency: Ida Slams Mercer County

On Tuesday, Hurricane Larry was churning the Atlantic Ocean with 115 mph winds several hundred miles southwest of Bermuda. Larry, a major category 3 hurricane, could cause "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions" along the Jersey Shore and other parts of the East Coast by the middle of this week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Here’s the latest forecast:

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 a.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 60. Northwest wind around 5 mph.