Mendham, Chester Under ‘Flood Warning’ Through Tuesday Afternoon

MENDHAM, NJ — Rains are expected to continue steadily through Mendham and Chester through Tuesday evening, dropping up to two inches, on top of two or four inches that may have already accumulated in the area as of Tuesday morning.

According to National Weather Service forecasts for Mendham and Chester and multiple weather statements issued as of Tuesday morning, there is a Hazardous Weather Outlook, Flash Flood Watch through 5 p.m. and Flood Warning through 3 p.m. for Chester and 4 p.m. for Mendham, a “warning” meaning that flooding could be imminent. The Weather Service has referenced the Passaic River at Chatham in its Flood Warnings for both Mendham and Chester, the Passaic River in that area’s Flood Warning “affecting Morris and Somerset Counties.”

In both Mendham and Chester, through Tuesday afternoon, heavy rain is expected with possible new rainfall of up to two inches, the potential of wind gusts up to 25 mph, while temperatures hover at around 60 degrees.

With reports of some trees having dropped already in the area because of the weather and schools having been on a two-hour delay, Mendham Township Police warned that with the winds picking up throughout the day on Tuesday, there is an “increased chance of trees coming down and power loss.”

“Please be prepared for power loss and do not drive around closed road signs or cones/barricades,” the police department wrote.

Mendham Township residents who need to have their home pumped out, should flooding occur, can contact the fire department, the police department wrote, at 973-543-2581, then dial 0 to speak with a dispatcher.

Overnight into Wednesday, another half inch of rain could fall, though the winds are likely to drop back to 15 mph, with an overnight low of 51.

Partly sunny skies are predicted to return on Wednesday, while temperatures rise to around 61 degrees and winds remain between 10 to 15 mph.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.