As more rain falls, thousands without power and flash floods likely in North Jersey
The rain that has prompted flooding across North Jersey all day isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, prompting new warnings about flooding across the region.
Showers and, potentially, more severe thunderstorms are expected well into Monday night. Rain is forecasted for Tuesday and Wednesday as well. The storms have caused flooding and power outages.
Counties to the west, including Morris, are seeing more serious storms and warnings as night falls in North Jersey.
As of 8 p.m., Jersey Central Power and Light had reports of more than 14,400 people throughout the state without power while PSEG is reporting an additional 2,200 outages.
Bob Ziff of the North Jersey Weather Observers said that this is a “typical summer pattern” of “hit or miss thunderstorms”
“Areas that received more daytime heating destabilized the atmosphere, allowing big storms to form,” Ziff said.
As of 6:30 p.m. rain totals included 3.99 inches in Paterson, 3.41 in Butler, 2.2 in Ramsey and North Haledon, and 1.89 in High Point.
What's the forecast Monday night?
Dominic Ramunni, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service confirmed that flash flood warning are in effect for parts of the area and that more showers and the possibility of thunderstorms are to be expected throughout the evening.
Ramunni noted that there have been reports of hail and flooding already on Monday and that things aren’t expected to dry out until after midnight.
He also said that any storms moving through the area have the potential to be severe with strong wind gusts and hail as well as localized flash floods possible.
Flash flood warning issued for Morris County
Conditions are worse in Morris County where a flash flood warning has been issued until 10 p.m. tonight. The National Weather Service radar showed thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the area. Up to three inches of rain have fallen already and the rain is expected to continue at a rate of up to an inch an hour.
The flood warnings come as multiple Morris County communities have been dealing with flooding Monday. In Denville, a portion of Route 53 between Estling Lake Road and Prospect Place was closed due to flooding, as was a section of Franklin Road near Sunset Trail. Denville Police also said there flooding closures on Old Boonton Road, Woodland Road and Palmer Road.
Flooding is likely to impact small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other low-lying areas. Locations that may experience flooding include:
Morristown
Dover
Denville
Madison
Hopatcong
Florham Park
East Hanover
Lincoln Park
Kinnelon
Chatham
Flood watches are in effect in parts of Somerset County as well, including in Somerville, Manville and Bridgewater.
A severe thunderstorm watch is also in effect for that area until 9 p.m.
Earlier: North Jersey beginning to see power outages as thunderstorms roll in
What about later this week?
Temperatures should remain warm throughout the week, sitting in the low 80s. It will also be quite humid, as a result of the constant rain expected.
The sun isn't expected out until Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service's forecast, but even then it will likely give way to showers, as is expected to be the case through Sunday.
Long-range forecast: Severe thunderstorm warning: North Jersey, you're in for a rainy week
Liam Quinn contributed to this story.
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse.
Email: sobko@northjersey.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Morris County NJ: Flash flood warning issued, power outages
