Residents Urged to Prepare for Heavy Flooding

Heavy flooding is expected in the area starting tonight, which could lead to local roads becoming impassable.  

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management issued an alert urging residents to monitor weather conditions over the next several days.   The National Weather Service said a slow-moving, low pressure system is expected to generate large amounts of rainfall in some areas of the state, with the heaviest rainfall expected Tuesday evening into Wednesday.   The OEM said flooding could continue in some areas of the state through Friday.

"A nearly stationary storm system over the Mid-Atlantic states will push a constant stream of moisture into the region through the middle of the week," the NWS said. "Total rainfall amounts will range between three and four inches of rainfall with locally higher amounts through Wednesday night."

The NWS said the rain could cause the flooding of small streams and creeks as well as "flood prone urban areas."

The NWS warned residents in flood prone areas to be "prepared to take action" should flooding develop.

Heavy flooding has closed roads in South Brunswick several times recently, , and parts of both Route 1 and Route 27

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

The OEM advises residents to stay informed of potential flood threats, or to keep track of current weather forecasts and alerts, by checking these online resources and social media tools:

• 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

Contact the South Brunswick Office of Emergency Management for information about:

• Warning signals that will be used in your community
• Local radio and TV stations you should tune into for emergency alerts and official instructions

• How to develop disaster plans for your workplace, your children's school or day care center, and other places where your family spends time.

Click here for information about the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management.