Community Corner

Severe Weather and Flooding Possible for Thursday

National Weather Service issues a hazardous weather outlook for Thursday and Friday.

A briefing from the National Weather Service released at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday warns of warns of possible damaging wind, large hail, heavy rainfall and isolated tornadoes on Thursday.

A warm front will move through the region on Thursday and a combination of conditions possibly could create severe weather.

The NJ Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) is monitoring a low pressure and severe storm system, which is expected to impact the state Thursday and Friday, bringing with it heavy rain, high winds in some areas, and potential flooding. 

Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Depending on the ultimate track of the warm front, different parts of New Jersey could see heavy rain (3 inches or more is possible), a tornado threat, or severe thunderstorms.

“This is a complex storm, and a complex forecast due to the amount of rain we've recently experienced,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, State Police Superintendent and Director of the state Office of Emergency Management.

Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fuentes said the state is  monitoring the situation "with our partners from the National Weather Service and the County Offices of Emergency Management."

"As of right now, this low pressure will track somewhere very close to South Jersey, either directly over, or perhaps just north (Central Jersey) or south (Delmarva)," NBC40 meteorologist Dan Skeldon said in a Wednesday evening update. "Exactly where we find ourselves will go a long way in determining if severe thunderstorms, a tornado threat, or heavy rain will be the primary concern. 

Skeldon said his best prediction for the timing of severe weather is between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

A small chance of showers continues on Friday, but the sun is expected to return for the weekend.

The State Emergency Operations Center will activate at 8 a.m. tomorrow and remain open as long as conditions dictate.

The NJOEM offers ways to maintain situational awareness about severe weather events. The NJOEM has a website for an extensive list of resources for obtaining information about emergencies:  http://www.ready.nj.gov/plan/staying_informed.html

New Jersey residents should also stay connected with their county OEMs via social media and county emergency alerting systems.   Links to County OEM social media pages and alert systems can be found at: http://www.ready.nj.gov/about/association.html

"Be especially careful if you are on the road," Fuentes said. "We also remind drivers not to drive through ponded or standing water, on roads impacted by heavy rain. Those who live in river communities should be aware of the potential for flooding, and follow instructions if given by local emergency officials.”


 


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