Major Flooding Expected in Wayne, Passaic County: Latest Information

WAYNE, NJ — Up to four inches of rain and major flooding are possible in parts of Passaic County as another strong winter storm moves across the Garden State, forecasters said in their latest update.

Wayne Township police are urging residents in flood-prone areas to move their vehicles to higher ground, and plan to self-evacuate if needed. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for multiple local waterways, including the Passaic, Ramapo, and Pompton Rivers.

The NWS also issued a wind advisory in Wayne, beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Wind gusts of close to 50 miles per hour are also in the cards locally.

Forecasters say the storm will bring a widespread total two to three inches of rain, with four inches possible in areas north of I-95, including West Milford and some other Passaic towns.

As of Tuesday morning, the NWS estimates that Wayne Township will likely see between 2 and 3 inches of rain, after a little more snowfall in the morning.

The heaviest rain will fall from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday, with several rivers slated to experience “moderate to major flooding” across northern New Jersey and in the Philadelphia region, the National Weather Service said.

The Pompton River at Pompton Plains and Passaic River at Little Falls are both expected to crest slightly over major flood stage: The Pompton around 11 p.m. Wednesday, and the Passaic at around 11 p.m. Thursday.

At Two Bridges (Signac), the Passaic River is expected to crest at moderate flood stage late Thursday.

Gov. Phil Murphy issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm, which goes into effect across the state at 5 p.m.

The fierce storm is set to bring up heavy rain, moderate to major flooding and wind gusts up to 65 mph, and could leave tens of thousands of residents without power.

"We are expecting substantial and severe flooding," New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Pat Callahan said at a news conference Monday. "This one is not to be taken lightly at all."

Here is an updated forecast for Wayne Township through Thursday, from the National Weather Service.

Tuesday: Rain. Steady temperature around 41. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tuesday night: Rain, mainly before 4am. The rain could be heavy at times. Temperature rising to around 55 by 1am. Breezy, with a southeast wind 16 to 25 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 48 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10am. Partly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 42 by 5pm. Breezy, with a west wind 11 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.

Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 9 to 15 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 45. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.