Maplewood-South Orange Area Under Flood Watch (Local Weather Forecast)

SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD, NJ — A hard rain is expected to fall in Maplewood and South Orange, and local residents should prepare for potential flooding if it does, authorities said Tuesday.

More than five inches of rain, severe thunderstorms across most of the state and flash flooding are all possible Tuesday into Wednesday for New Jersey, weather forecasters say. See Related: Tropical Storm Debby: Latest Forecast For NJ Impacts

Essex County, including Maplewood and South Orange, is under a flood watch and a Hazardous Weather Outlook through Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

"Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations," forecasters warned. "Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Extensive street flooding and flooding of creeks and rivers are possible."

LOCAL WEATHER FORECAST

Here is the local weather forecast for Maplewood and South Orange this week, according to the NWS:

Tuesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could be severe. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. West wind around 6 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could be severe and produce heavy rainfall. Low around 67. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 72. Northeast wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 79. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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