Weather Clears After Henri Churns Through Mendham, Chester

MENDHAM, NJ — After Tropical Storm Henri was downgraded to a Tropical Depression, leaving behind some sogginess on Monday, the National Weather Service predicts skies to be sunny, with spots of clouds here and there, through Friday.

The National Weather Service reported on Monday that Henri had weakened in terms of its initial impact as a tropical storm - and in some places a hurricane - to a Tropical Depression.

Before departing Mendham and Chester, Henri left some of its wrath behind.

According to the State of New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection Water Monitoring & Standards, which has been tabulating rainfall totals near the Primrose Brook at Morristown National Historic Park - not far from Mendham and Chester - it was reported on late Monday from Saturday, there had been 5.54 inches of rain. From Sunday through Monday afternoon, 2.92 inches of rain accumulated in that spot. During the day on Monday, there had been 0.04 inches.

Nearby the Mendham and Chester area by the North Branch Raritan River, Water Monitoring & Standards between Saturday through Monday afternoon, there had been 6.65 inches of rain at that location, with 4.03 inches from Sunday through Monday afternoon and .15 inches as of late Monday afternoon.

A small number of residents were without power through Monday afternoon in Chester Borough. Though there were initially only a few in Chester Township and Mendham Borough and Township in the morning, by early Monday evening, Chester Township had 200 outages, Mendham Borough 141 and Mendham Township 258, all expected to be restored by 11:30 p.m. on Monday night. Click here for more information about outages and JCP&L’s restoration process.

Mendham Township Police attributed the Mendham Township outage on Monday afternoon to a telephone pole that broke on Ironia Road.

Both Mendham Borough and Township Police provided a checklist from JCP&L on social media, should residents experience a power outage.

Mendham Township Mayor Sarah Neibart also posted information over the weekend pertaining to outages, providing residents with information about downed wires; and how to report them to the township's Police Department. See her full message below.

Chester Township asked that residents clear storm drains near their homes, to prevent flooding.

As Henri fades away, it leaves behind the possibility that there could be up to a tenth of an inch of rain before Tuesday, perhaps higher if there are thunderstorms in Mendham and Chester.

The National Weather Service cautions that there could be flooding in spots in Mendham and Chester where there is poor drainage, near streams and small creeks.

Sunny skies are predicted to return to Mendham and Chester for Tuesday through Friday, which can help to dry up conditions slightly, with a high of 87 degrees on Tuesday, 89 on Wednesday, 88 on Thursday and 84 on Friday.

The National Weather Service forecasts that there could be a chance of rain showers again this coming Saturday.

Editor's Note: Article updated at 6:16 p.m. on Monday Aug. 23, from its original on Monday Aug. 23 at 11 a.m., to reflect changing weather conditions and power outages in Mendham and Chester.

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