Author Topic: Flooding 2/3-2/4 2016 (Read 3122 times)

Pfishingruven · « **on:** February 01, 2016, 05:53:38 PM »

There is the potential and forecasts for inland flooding of rivers and streams. With heavy snow melt taking place and for rain totals between 1 and 2 inches, many rivers and streams may not be able to handle the excess water. Right now, only 2 rivers are forecast to make it to flood stage, the Millstone River at Blackwells Mills and the Raritan River at Bound Brook. Both of these rivers will reach the Minor Stage, pushing Moderate. Several other rivers will push the Action Stage. Areas at Action Stage from North to South: Rockaway River at Boonton, Passaic River at Pine Brook, Passaic River at Millington, South Branch of Raritan River at Stanton, North Branch of the Raritan at Raritan, Raritan River at Manville, Assunpink Creek at Trenton, and the North Branch of the Rancocas Creek at Pemberton. Flooding is obviously possible at any of these Action Stages and areas forecasts to flood could definitely see more than just minor flooding. Also, areas not forecast to flood should be vigilant and areas that are not monitored (smaller rivers/streams) that are prone to flooding after heavy rains and snow, should expect and prepare for flooding. In addition to inland flooding, localized and flash flooding is possible as the excess of unmelted snow will put pressure on storm water systems.

So far, flooding will be moderate at worst, but even moderate flooding can be hazardous depending on the location. If you or someone you know lives in a flood zone, please keep updated on the forecasts and aware of changes this week. I will update any major changes. Any questions about details or specific forecasts, please contact me. Thanks and be safe!

Here is a link to the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center . Once on the website, you can zoom in to NJ and surrounding areas and look at the various monitoring sites. By clicking on the site, you can pull up the forecast, like the 2 below, that show the current level of the river and future forecast. Each forecasts also show at what level flooding occurs for each location.

5 Day Rain Totals

Flood Forecasts Millstone & Raritan Rivers

Pfishingruven · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2016, 02:23:46 AM »

Here are some updates for the potential for flooding. Below is the graphic for areas that should be concerned with flooding. A briefing from NWS PHI has been issued. There have also been some changes to river forecasts and a Flood Watch has been issued. These forecasts will change and develop over the next day or so. Forecasts will change depending on many factors, one being the current observed levels of the rivers and where they are expected to crest. Please continue to monitor these forecasts if they affect you or someone you know. Forecasts can be found at the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. Below is a link to Flooding Preparedness. Updates to follow. If anyone has any questions, please contact me! Be safe!!

NWS PHI Flood Briefing #1

A Flood Watch has been issued for 9 NJ Counties including Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex, Western Monmouth, Mercer, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, and Northwestern Burlington Counties from Wednesday Afternoon through Thursday.

Quote

FLOOD WATCH
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
957 PM EST MON FEB 1 2016

...FLOODING POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY...

.STRONG LOW PRESSURE WILL TRACK FROM THE GREAT LAKES INTO QUEBEC
WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT. A TRAILING COLD FRONT WILL PUSH
THROUGH THE REGION WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND BE OFF THE COAST BY
THURSDAY MORNING. THE COMBINATION OF RAIN AND MELTING SNOW COULD
PRODUCE FLOODING.

DEZ001-NJZ009-010-012-013-015>019-PAZ060-061-070-071-101>106-
021200-
/O.CON.KPHI.FA.A.0001.160203T1700Z-160204T2200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
NEW CASTLE-HUNTERDON-SOMERSET-MIDDLESEX-WESTERN MONMOUTH-MERCER-
SALEM-GLOUCESTER-CAMDEN-NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON-BERKS-LEHIGH-
DELAWARE-PHILADELPHIA-WESTERN CHESTER-EASTERN CHESTER-
WESTERN MONTGOMERY-EASTERN MONTGOMERY-UPPER BUCKS-LOWER BUCKS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...WILMINGTON...FLEMINGTON...SOMERVILLE...
NEW BRUNSWICK...FREEHOLD...TRENTON...PENNSVILLE...GLASSBORO...
CAMDEN...CHERRY HILL...MOORESTOWN...MOUNT HOLLY...READING...
ALLENTOWN...MEDIA...PHILADELPHIA...HONEY BROOK...OXFORD...
WEST CHESTER...KENNETT SQUARE...COLLEGEVILLE...POTTSTOWN...
NORRISTOWN...LANSDALE...CHALFONT...PERKASIE...MORRISVILLE...
DOYLESTOWN
957 PM EST MON FEB 1 2016

...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
THURSDAY AFTERNOON...

THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF NORTHERN DELAWARE...NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA...
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS...IN NORTHERN DELAWARE...NEW
CASTLE. IN NEW JERSEY...CAMDEN...GLOUCESTER...HUNTERDON...
MERCER...MIDDLESEX...NORTHWESTERN BURLINGTON...SALEM...
SOMERSET AND WESTERN MONMOUTH. IN PENNSYLVANIA...BERKS...
DELAWARE...EASTERN CHESTER...EASTERN MONTGOMERY...LEHIGH...
LOWER BUCKS...PHILADELPHIA...UPPER BUCKS...WESTERN CHESTER AND
WESTERN MONTGOMERY.

* FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON

* THE COMBINATION OF MELTING SNOW AND PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN
COULD PRODUCE WIDESPREAD LOW-LYING... POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. MINOR TO MODERATE RIVER
FLOODING IS POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY ACROSS THE
RARITAN AND PASSAIC BASINS OF NEW JERSEY AND THE SCHUYLKILL
BASIN IN PENNSYLVANIA.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS.

YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE
FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE
PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

&&

$$

Flood Forecasts

Moderate Flood Stage (Red)
-Millstone River at Blackwells Mills

Minor Flood Stage (Orange)
-Rockaway River at Boonton
-South Branch of the Raritan at Stanton
-North Branch of the Raritan at Raritan
-Raritan River at Manville
-Raritan River at Boundbrook

Action Stage (Yellow)
-Passaic River at Pinebrook
-Passaic River at Chatham
-Passaic River at Millington
-Assunpink Creek at Trenton
-North Branch of Rancocas Creek at Pemberton

Flood Safety & Preparedness

Flood Awareness Week Post NJSWF