A tornado warning was issued Monday morning for Union and Essex counties in New Jersey due to severe thunderstorms. It has since been lifted, but flash flood warnings and watches continue in New Jersey, New York and other areas along the East Coast.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Flash Flood Warning lasting until 1:00 p.m. on Monday for New Jersey and New York. In New Jersey, the counties falling under this warning include: Union, southeastern Bergen, southeastern Essex, Hudson, southeastern Sussex, Somerset, Morris and east central Warren. In New York, the counties affected by the warning include: Queens, New York (Manhattan), Bronx, Westchester, Richmond (Staten Island) and Kings (Brooklyn).
The NWS doppler radar estimated very heavy rain over the areas under flash flood warning led to over 3 to 4 inches of rain falling so far this morning. Excessive flooding from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses, as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots.
The NWS says flash flood warnings mean flooding is imminent or already occurring. The Service advises residents in the affected area to move to higher ground immediately. They advise against driving your vehicle near where water covers roadways, as the depth may be too deep to allow your car to cross safely. Again, the NWS strongly stresses moving to higher ground as soon as possible.
A flash flood watch is in place for several counties in New Jersey, including Camden, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, northwestern Burlington and Salem, as well as portions of Delaware, northeast Maryland and Pennsylvania.
According to the latest report from the NWS, the watch is in effect through this evening. A lull in showers and thunderstorms are expected for portions of the affected area this morning, but another round of heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected later in the morning, then continue through the late evening and possibly into Tuesday. It will take around one inch of rain across the Philadelphia metro area, 1 to 2 inches across northern New Jersey, the Poconos and Lehigh Valley to produce flash flooding.
A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop to produce flash flooding and residents should monitor later forecast and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued as the day continues.
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