Tornado, Flash Flood Watch Issued For Somerset County As Ida Hits

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — A tornado watch and a flash flood watch have been issued for Somerset County as the remnants of Hurricane Ida pass through the area on Wednesday and into Thursday.

The tornado watch issued by the National Weather Service is in effect through 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

Residents should expect periods of heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms resulting in widespread rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, with locally higher amounts possible, according to the NWS.

Most of the rain may fall in a short period of time, exacerbating the flooding threat. Combined with the already wet and saturated ground this could lead to numerous instances of flash flooding.

Flooding of creeks, streams, urban areas, and poor drainage areas is likely in the areas of heaviest rain. Water is likely to cover the roads, especially in low-lying areas.

Local police and firefighters are warning drivers not to drive through any flooded roadways and to run around.

Here is a look at the upcoming forecast for Wednesday and Thursday:

Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 2 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. High near 73. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. Low around 61. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 3 and 4 inches possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 75. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.