An Inch Of Rain Could Still Leave Mercer County Flooded Wednesday

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – The National Weather Service does not expect Mercer County to receive 6 inches of rain. However, even an inch or two could many townships flooded into Thursday.

A flash flood warning was issued for Mercer County heavy rainfall could hit the Garden State on Wednesday, bringing with it severe thunderstorms, hail, and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.

Last week, the remnants of Hurricane Ida pummeled townships with many receiving over 4 inches of rain. Hopewell Township was particularly hard hit with Ida pouring 9.13 inches of rain while Princeton and Trenton suffered major flooding.

The area received at least 400 percent more rain than normal over the past week.

However, since the grounds remain heavily saturated, a brief, heavy rainfall of 1 or 2 inches could quickly lead to flooding. Last week, the flooding closed major roads, some of which remain closed.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for much of North Jersey, including Mercer County, that lasts from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 2 a.m. Thursday, with the last four hours representing the "primary window of concern."

Here's the forecast:

Wednesday night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 a.m., then showers likely, possibly a thunderstorm after 3 a.m. Storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Northwest wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy at night, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 60. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

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