Flood Gates Closed As Raritan River Water Levels Rise In Somerset County

Updated as of 5:45 p.m.

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — As flooding continues to impact the area, Somerset County closed the East Street flood gates in Bound Brook, Somerset County Public Safety announced around 3:40 p.m.

The Raritan River continues to rise as of 3:25 p.m. In Manville, the river is at 17.39 feet at the moderate flooding stage.

"As of 3:25 p.m., water is beginning to rise. Residents in lowlying areas are advised to move their vehicles to higher ground. Parking is available in the Rustin Mall Lot," said Manville Police.

The Raritan River in Bound Brook is at 30.35 feet in the moderate flooding stage. The National Weather Service is expecting the river to continue to rise to just below major flooding later today.

Additionally, due to flooding Route 206 is closed in both directions between Somerset Street and South Bridge in Raritan.

Dukes Parkway is also closed between North Main Street and North 7th Avenue in Manville. Roosevelt Avenue is beginning to flood by Pope Street as well.

• See Related: Rushing Rivers Flood Roads, Parks In Bridgewater: Videos, Photos

Power Outages

More than 2,000 residents remain without power in Somerset County as of 3:20 p.m.

JCP&L is reporting 280 customers are still without power in Bedminster, Bernards, Bernardsville, Hillsborough, Far Hills, Peapack and Gladstone.

PSE&G is reported 2,966 customers without power with the majority in North Plainfield and Green Brook.

Road Closures

• Raritan - Route 206 is closed in both directions between Somerset Street and South Bridge Street; Old York Road is closed between Chestnut Street and Woodmere Street; Lyman Street access to Hillsborough; Orlando Drive between Thompson Street and 206; John Basilone Bridge
• Manville - Dukes Pkwy and N13th, Main Street Underpass near PD, Dukes Pkwy and N2nd, Dukes Pkwy and N7th, Roosevelt Ave and Pope Street, Kyle Street Tunnel, Lincoln Ave- Arlington St to Benjamin St, Boesel Ave - South Bridge St to Woodrow St, South Main Street between Wilhousky and South 5th Ave
• Hillsborough - River Rd is closed between Mill Ln and Elm St Bridge.
• Branchburg - Lamington Road/ Bedminster Border, Burnt Mills Road/ Route 28 Route 28/Bridgewater Line, County Line Road, Station Road near Train Station, Readington Road/ Station Road, South Branch Road/ Chubb Way, South Branch Road/ Pleasant Run, Elm Street/ Hillsborough Border, Opie Road, Blackpoint Road, Woodfern Road
• Basking Ridge - Several roads are closed due to flooding, including Mt Airy Road and Newell Drive, Valley Road and Mt Airy Road, Hardscrabble and Childs Roads, Acken Road between Spring Valley and Warren Township line, Lord Stirling Road between EEC and Long Hill Township line, Madisonville Road from Verizon entrance to Harding Twp line, Childs Road closed at Route 202
• Bridgewater - Currently closed roads: Loeser Avenue, Two Bridges (Bridge between Branchburg and Bridgewater on Old York Rd), Old York Road near Maple Street, Route 22 West at Vosseller Avenue
• Hillsborough - Amwell Road is closed between Long hill Road and Montgomery Road until further notice.
• Watchung - Please be advised several Watchung Borough roads are experiencing flooding at this time: Circle, Route 22/Somerset, Route 22/North Drive, Route 22/Union Ave, Bonnie Burn Road South towards 22. Use caution and plan alternate routes.
• Montgomery - Mountain View Road is closed; there is a downed tree on Route 206 South located north of County Route 533/Orchard Road

Somerset County Warning

"Due to high levels of flooding, residents are asked to avoid roads in the county and stay home if possible," said Somerset County Safety.

Authorities are also warning "Do not drive through flooded roadways!"

A flood warning remains in effect through Wednesday.

School Closures

Green Brook issued a State of Emergency for its town and closed all Township schools. Bernards Township's Oak Street school has a two-hour delayed opening due to a power loss.

Rain Totals

As of around 5 a.m. many areas in Somerset County have already received between 2 to 3 inches of rain overnight.

Take a look at the rain totals as of 5 a.m. from the NWS.

Bridgewater - 3.24 inches
Hillsborough - 3.07 inches
Green Brook - 3.04 inches
Branchburg - 2.95 inches
Bedminster Township -2.84 inches
Belle Mead - 2.64 inches
Somerville - 2.62 inches
Far Hills - 2.54 inches
Pottersville - 2.51 inches
Somerset - 2.27 inches
Blackwells Mills - 2.27 inches

And more rain is expected to fall Monday morning.

A flood watch has been issued for the area through 2 p.m. on Dec. 19 as rain continues to fall.

"Rainfall totals of 2.0 to 5.0 inches are expected, with the heaviest rain continuing for a time this morning," said the National Weather Service(NWS). "Flooding is ongoing in several areas given the excessive rainfall on already saturated ground. The steadiest rain this morning should end as some showers into this afternoon."

As a result, excessive runoff may cause flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may also occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

Parks

Due to flooding the following Somerset County parks are closed on Monday:

• Duke Island Park
• Lord Stirling Park trails
• Natirar
• North Branch Park
• Raritan River Greenway
• South Branch Greenway

Rivers

North Branch Raritan River at South Branch is at 11.46 feet as of 10 a.m. (major flooding stage).

The Millstone River at Griggstown is at 14.61 feet as of 10 a.m. (moderate flooding stage) just below major flooding at 15 feet.

Millstone River at Blackwells Mills is at 9.38 feet (near flooding stage) but projected to hit moderate flooding at 12.8 feet by 7 p.m. on Monday.

Continue to check back with Patch as this list is updated throughout the day.

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