Flood watch hits Essex County Thursday with tornado risk

A flood watch covering Essex County takes effect at noon Thursday, Aug. 27, as the National Weather Service warns of severe thunderstorms capable of producing an isolated tornado, damaging winds and flash flooding across northern New Jersey.

Short Hills, Millburn and Livingston are all in the watch zone. The NWS forecasts 1 to 2 inches of rain for most areas, with 3 to 5 inches possible where the strongest storms develop, Patch reported Wednesday. Peak rainfall rates could exceed 2 inches per hour, according to NBC New York.

An isolated tornado is possible along and west of the I-95 corridor, forecasters said. That risk extends from Central and North Jersey into the Hudson Valley.

The strongest storms are expected from mid-afternoon through early evening Thursday before rain chances diminish. The highest flash-flood risk falls in the New York City metro area westward into Central New Jersey.

The NWS rated the overall severe-storm risk as marginal but noted the localized flood threat has increased. NWS Mount Holly, which covers central and northern New Jersey, urged residents in flood-prone areas to be prepared to act if flooding develops.

What Millburn Township has done before

During a separate flood watch earlier this month, the Millburn Office of Emergency Management cleaned catch basins, storm drains, pipes and grates and lowered the water level at Taylor Park Pond to reduce flood impacts, according to a township alert posted Aug. 2. The Sentinel has not confirmed whether the township issued a new alert for Thursday's storm.

No statement from Livingston's Office of Emergency Management regarding Thursday's storm was available as of publication.

How residents can prepare

Residents whose driveways are prone to flooding can move vehicles to the second level of the parking garage at Essex Street and Lackawanna Place in Millburn, per the township's standing guidance.