Live updates: Heavy rain in North Jersey, flooding on highways

Editor's note: For updated coverage Wednesday, please click here

New Jersey residents are preparing for yet another storm to roll in, a quick follow-up to the past weekend's winter storm that dropped between 1 and 13 inches of snow depending on your location.

For this rainstorm however, meteorologists are calling for heavy rain, gusty winds, and a high probability of flooding around the state.

Stay vigilant, stay prepared, and keep an eye on the forecast and messages from your local officials as the storm starts to roll in

Check back here for live updates throughout the storm.

Here is what we know right now:

Flooded highways

Route 17 (East Rutherford): Right lanes on both north and southbound sides in East Rutherford are closed due to extreme road flooding. The northbound side is located by the Lowe's Home Improvement store and on the southbound side the intersection between Route 17 and Stanley street is under water. Both right lanes are impassable for cars. East Rutherford Sergeant Bucceri says as of now the road conditions are not that bad but from past experiences he states "this is only the beginning."

Route 17 (Saddle River): Two northbound right lanes are closed near Allendale Avenue in Saddle River.

Route 3 (Clifton): There is flooding in both direction near the Garden State Parkway in Clifton.

Route 3 (Secaucus): All lanes closed on NJ 3 Service Road southbound Harmon Cove in Secaucus due to flooding.

Garden State Parkway (Bloomfield): Two southbound lanes closed near Exit 150 in Bloomfield.

Garden State Parkway (Elmwood Park): Left lane is blocked on the southbound near Exit 156 in Elmwood Park.

Route 9W: Right lane closed on the northbound side near Sage Road in Englewood Cliffs.

Route 23: Right lane closed on southbound side near Cotluss Road in Kinnelon.

Route 1&9: Downed trees have closed lanes at two locations on the highway: All northbound lanes are closed near Bergen Boulevard in Fort Lee and one northbound lane is closed in Palisades Park.

Route 46 (Roxbury): Flooding has closed all westbound lanes near Route 183/Netcong Circle in Roxbury.

Route 46 (Dover): All lanes closed in both direction near CR 643/Morris Street in Dover.

Check the NJ DOT's 511nj.org for the latest on flooding and road closures.

Rainfall totals so far

The National Weather Service released the following rainfall totals for North Jersey at 9:45 p.m.:

• West Milford - 2.04 inches

• Mahwah - 1.83

• Cedar Grove - 1.55

• Wayne - 1.44

• Montclair - 1.29

• Paramus - 1.18

• Hoboken - 1.10

• Clifton - 1.03

North Jersey power outages

Residents are already beginning to experience power outage issues in North Jersey. As of 9 p.m., power outages are being reported from:

• Bergen County: A little over 500 customers have been experiencing power outages down from 1,642 customers at around 6 in the evening. These power outrages are occurring near the Oradell area. Power outages from Route 46 have been solved.

• Passaic County: According to PSE&G most power outages have been restored. Earlier in the afternoon, 999 reported customers were experiencing a lack of power.

Flood warning near Ramapo River

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning near the Ramapo River in Mahwah that can affect areas in Bergen, Passaic, Orange and Rockland counties. Moderate flooding is predicted to be in those surrounding areas. The flood warning is in effect from Tuesday evening until Thursday evening.

The NWS states "the river is expected to rise above flood stage just after midnight to a crest of 9.5 feet early tomorrow afternoon. It will fall below flood stage early Thursday afternoon. The flood stage is 8.0 feet."

Moderate flooding in the river can cause flooding along Route 202 and Route 17 and may pour into backyards. Minor flooding can occur along Brakeshoe Place, Brook Street and Catherine Avenue. The NWS warns to never try to walk, swim or drive through such swift water. If you come upon flood waters, stop, turn around and go another way.

Westwood braces for flooding

Cones and road closed signs were placed on Steuben Avenue, Harding Avenue, McKinley Avenue, Hillside Avenue, Broadway and Lake Street in preparation for flooding this evening in Westwood, said Mayor Raymond Arroyo. These streets tend to get hit “first and hardest” when the town floods, said Arroyo.

The Westwood Volunteer Fire Department has a swift water rescue boat ready to be deployed if needed. There are also six diesel light towers that were moved to borough hall for faster deployment if they are needed, said Arroyo.

The borough’s Department of Public Works moved all its trucks to high ground and has chain saws and tree equipment ready to go, said Arroyo.

As the town waited for the storm, Republican Senator Holly Schepisi, who has a district office in Westwood, released a statement this afternoon regarding the inaction of two bi-partisan bills in the Senate and the Assembly that would authorize local emergency management offices to order reservoirs to be lowered in response to bad weather.

She expressed “extreme disappointment” in Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration and representatives from water utility Veolia, who own the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir, for having “not listened to a bi-partisan coalition of members of the legislature and Mayors of flood prone communities.” She said the legislation will go hand-in-hand with a Stevens Tech University study that is starting in February that aims to study food-control tools used by other reservoir systems across the country.

More: Westwood seeks $1M to elevate homes as Bergen towns try new approaches to flooding

“These extreme weather events which are occurring with more frequency are unfortunate, but as elected officials we should be taking steps to soften the blow and ensure all our residents are safe,” said Schepisi in the statement.

Debra Vial, communications director for Veolia, said last week that its reservoirs were not built for flood control and “the state does not allow levels to be lowered in advance of storms because the mission is to ensure there is enough drinking water for the region.” She said last week that Veolia has been “collaborating with local officials on a drone survey of local watershed areas, working with local emergency operations to warn of weather conditions and updating communication procedures with communities.”

- Stephanie Noda

Woodland Park schools go virtual

Woodland Park Schools Superintendent Michele Pillari announced on Tuesday that the town's schools will be shifting to virtual instruction for the rest of the week due to the potential flooding in the surrounding areas. In-person learning will likely resume on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

The superintendent collaborated with local and state leaders in this decision that led to the NJDOE County Office mandating that the district either be closed completely or operate through virtual instruction for a minimum of four consecutive days to protect the health and safety of the students and staff. Teachers will be livestreaming their classes to the students through Google Meet. Students in need are offered food in a grab-and-go style on Jan. 10 at Charles Olbon School between 12 and 3 p.m.

For a list of school delayed openings and closing, click here.

Little Falls assisting residents with sand bags

Little Falls Public Works Department assisted residents in letting them fill sand bags so they can try to protect their homes from flooding damage.

Resident John Jurich, who lives on Amity Street in Little Falls, said he worried about how the rain may cause severe damage to houses on his block, comparing the situation to "Amityville Horror."

- Kevin Wexler

Morristown closes town hall

Morristown closed its town hall at 3 p.m. Tuesday due to the storm.

"We are prepared. We are ready for (the storm)," Mayor Timothy Dougherty said in a video posted to the town's Facebook page. "With all the snow that's still on the street and all the rain that's coming, we know that we're going to have some issues."

Dougherty urged residents to stay home if at all possible, call 911 if any issues arise and avoid driving or walking through flood waters.

"It's the easiest way to get stuck — you have no idea how deep that water is going to be," he said.

− Kyle Morel

State of emergency going into effect at 5 p.m.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced on Monday night that New Jersey will enter a state of emergency at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, effective until Wednesday morning, in preparation for the severe storm.

Murphy is urging people to follow all safety protocols and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

NJ courts closed at 3:30 p.m.

Court facilities statewide closed at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday due to the anticipated weather conditions. Remote proceedings will be held as scheduled.

What time is it going to rain in NJ?

Rain started in some areas at about 11 a.m. It's then in the forecast for most of the night until it stops overnight.

How many inches of rain?

Depending on your location, you could be expecting anywhere from 2 to 3 inches of rain. However, there is a potential for 4 inches in some areas of North Jersey.

Lodi advises some people to evacuate

The Borough of Lodi is expecting moderate to major flooding as a result of the incoming storm, according to a Facebook post from the Lodi Fire Department.

The Lodi Fire Department is suggesting that residents in known flood areas temporarily evacuate until flood waters recede.

They are also warning residents of high winds and potential power outages.

Please remember to charge your phones, lights, and other battery powered items. If you have a generator, make sure it is fueled up but keep it away from the house to prevent exhaust fumes from entering.

Schools cancel after-school activities and adjust schedule

Little Ferry has already called a delayed opening for Wednesday. Many other districts, including Jersey City, Teaneck, Hackensack, Morris Hills and more canceled afterschool activities for Tuesday.

Morris County flood prep

Dover Mayor James Dodd said local officials joined Gov. Phil Murphy and the Office of Emergency Management for a conference-call meeting on Monday in preparation for the storm in his flood-prone town, where the Rockaway River flows through the middle of the downtown area.

Tuesday morning, Dodd said he had reached out to Picatinny Arsenal to ask if they planned to open base floodgates on streams feeding the Rockaway River.

“My biggest concern is there have been times when they have been forced to open the floodgates, and when they do, within two hours, the entire town of Dover is under water," he said.

In Montville, police have taken to social media to warn and update residents about what they expect to be a “significant flooding event” along Passaic River and Rockaway rivers, with the rivers “expected to crest at levels not seen in 10 years.”

To that end, sand and sandbags are being distributed at the Montville Dog Park. “Use these to deflect water away from your house and areas prone to flooding,” police posted.

Lincoln Park Mayor Donald Runfedlt posted a critical note on social media that Murphy “will not be having the Pompton Dam release water prior to Tuesday's anticipated storm.

Lincoln Park is a common flood area along with other towns on the Pompton River corridor.

“I had requested this action on Tuesday last week and the mayors of Pompton Lakes, Wayne, Pequannock, Little Falls and others made the same request,” he wrote.

− William Westhoven

Wind advisory in North Jersey

North Jersey is currently under a wind advisory with anywhere between 45 and 55 mph gusts expected to blow across the area.

The coastal areas of New Jersey are under a high wind warning with gusts up to 65 mph expected.

The highest wind will occur overnight, and the National Weather Service is warning that downed trees and power outages are possible.

Expected flooding in NJ

With this storm comes a high possibility of flooding. This includes moderate to major river flooding as well as flooding of smaller creeks and streams. Snowmelt could increase runoff and flood potential. North Jersey residents should also be aware of the potential for urban flooding and flash floods.

As of Tuesday morning, Morris, Sussex, Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren counties are all under flood watch along with some areas of eastern Pennsylvania. The flood watch is set to last until Wednesday afternoon.

The coastal areas of North Jersey, as well as much of the Jersey Shore, are also under a coastal flood advisory.

Bergen County flood update

The Bergen County Office of Emergency Management is actively monitoring the coming storm system, with an expected rain total of 2 to 3 inches between Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning. The Meadowlands area is a particular concern.

"Excessive runoff, combined with snow melt, will result in moderate to major flash flooding of rivers, small creeks, streams, and other low lying and flood prone locations," said Capt. Matthew J. Tiedemann in a bulletin from the county. "This will be quicker than usual because the ground is already saturated and there will be significant snow melt with rising temperatures."

The county is in communication with Veolia Water company representatives who say that all three dams are currently spilling. This should allow rain and melted snow to flow downstream.

−Kristie Cattafi

When is high tide?

Hackensack River high tide at Hackensack:

• Tuesday 7:39 p.m.

• Wednesday 7:56 p.m.

• Wednesday 8:26 p.m.

Passaic River high tide at East Rutherford:

• Tuesday 6:42 p.m.

• Wednesday 6:59 a.m.

• Wednesday 7:19 p.m.

Saddle River at Lodi is expected to crest Wednesday, at 12 p.m., at 8.1 ft.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ rain storm, live updates, flood warnngs