NJ Emergency Management Warns of 'Potential Flood Conditions'

Get your rain boots out and have your umbrellas ready because the rain is here to stay — at least until Friday.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management is urging state residents to monitor weather conditions over the next several days.  A slow-moving, low pressure system is expected to generate large amounts of rainfall in some areas, particularly in the northern part of the state. The heaviest rainfall is expected through today. Flooding could continue in some areas through Friday.

According to the National Weather Service, New Providence will have periods of heavy rain, with a possible thunderstorm today. Today through tonight, we could see between one to three inches of rainfall.

“Be alert and be prepared for adverse conditions,” advises State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes, Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. “Heavy rain can cause flash flooding. If you are asked to evacuate or take other protective actions, follow the advice of emergency officials."

Police Chief Anthony D. Buccelli said the borough is "prepared as usual" for any flood issues.

"Usually, what are considered our high water areas are primarily along the Passaic River," Buccelli said in a phone interview on Tuesday. "One spot that’s always been a problem for us is the bridge on Central Avenue, where Summit meets Chatham. Most of the time, we gage it by that area. That’s the area we keep checking on to see what happens."

Buccelli said one of the biggest concerns in New Providence is falling limbs and power loss situations, which residents should be prepared for.

If you live near the Passaic River, next to Chatham, click here to monitor water levels of the Passaic. 

To stay informed of potential flood threats, or to keep track of current weather forecasts and alerts, check out:

• The official website of the National Weather Service: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/phi/
• New Jersey Office of Emergency Management Website: www.ready.nj.gov
• NJ Alert text messaging system: www.njalert.gov  
• NJOEM on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Jersey-Office-of-Emergency-Management
• NJOEM Twitter: https://twitter.com/NJSP