Flood Watch In Effect Until 10 P.M. In Princeton, Residents Urged to Avoid Flooded Roads

PRINCETON, NJ — A flood watch has been issued in Princeton and remains in effect for the area until 10 p.m. Monday.

Local officials have asked residents to avoid flooded or barricaded roads and remember the critical safety message - Turn Around, Don't Drown.

According to the National Weather Service, the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal will bring heavy rainfall across the area. The tropical weather system is expected to produce 1 to 2 inches of rain throughout the urban corridor, with some isolated areas potentially receiving up to 5 inches.

Showers and thunderstorms associated with the system should end between 7 and 8 p.m. tonight, with any remaining flooding from today's rainfall subsiding overnight, forecasters said.

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, the NWS said. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

Heavy rainfall and rising waters can quickly transform routine travel into dangerous situations. Floodwaters are deceptively powerful and often conceal hazards like downed power lines or damaged roadways.

Authorities in Princeton have released the following safety reminders:

• Just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down

• 12 inches of water can sweep away a vehicle

• Floodwaters typically move faster and run deeper than they appear

Essential safety guidelines include never driving through flooded roads, avoiding walking through moving water, and staying informed through weather alerts and local emergency updates.

When encountering flooded areas, the safest choice is always to turn around and find an alternate route, officials said.

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