Flash Flood Warning In Effect In Ocean County Thursday: Sheriff

TOMS RIVER, NJ — (Update, 1 p.m.) The Ocean County Sheriff's Office is urging motorists to be cautious Friday afternoon after a flash flood warning was issued for the county due to heavy rainfall.

Earlier downpours Friday morning caused street flooding in a number of areas, the sheriff's office and Patch readers said. Readers told the Patch there was flooding in spots along Route 37, on Hooper Avenue and other streets as the sudden deluge that hit about 10:15 a.m. poured more water on the streets than storm drains could handle.

The sheriff's office issued a Nixle alert about 1 p.m. warning of increased possibility of flash flooding, however.

"Use caution while driving due to flooding on many roadways," the alert said.

The National Weather Service said the storm is packing winds of 40 mph and thunder and lightning in some areas. The flash flood warning is scheduled to expire at 4:45 p.m., the weather service said.

Radar photo from Accuweather.com; Photo of Route 37 flooding provided by a Patch reader