Flood Watch In Effect Through Friday Afternoon

A flood watch is in effect for the entire tri-state area including Somerset and Union counties from Thursday morning through Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued.

Rain is forecast to overspread central and northern New Jersey on Thursday and is expected to be moderate to heavy during the late morning and afternoon.

Between one to two inches with isolated three inch amounts are expected.

"This will be the third rainfall event in the last week. The ground remains wet, and rivers and streams continue to run high," the NWS posted.

The moderate to heavy rain will likely result in some roadway flooding along with flooding in areas of poor drainage on Thursday. Isolated instances of flash flooding may occur, especially in urban areas. Some small streams and creeks may leave their banks Thursday afternoon into Thursday night.

Minor to moderate flooding could then occur along a number of larger rivers late Thursday night into Friday. The river flooding could persist through the weekend.

(Photo by Alexis Tarrazi: Raritan River Canal in Bridgewater).

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