Bridgewater Braces For Storm: Township, School Cancellations

BRIDGEWATER, NJ ? Bridgewater is bracing for a winter storm expected to bring high winds and heavy rain that could lead to flooding.

As a result, the Reorganization and Regular Meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for Tuesday night is canceled.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at which time the Zoning Board will hold both its Reorganization Meeting and it's Regular Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Bridgewater-Raritan Schools has also canceled all after-school activities on Tuesday in anticipation of the upcoming severe winter storm.

"Due to Governor Murphy?s declaration of a state of emergency, beginning at 5 p.m. today, Tuesday, Jan. 9, all evening events, including the Board of Education meeting are canceled. The BR Cares aftercare program will close at 4:15 p.m. Please be on the lookout for additional weather-related messages later today," said the district.

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in the Garden State Monday afternoon ahead of a winter storm system set to bring up to four inches of rain, flooding and wind gusts up to 65 mph that could down trees and cause tens of thousands of power outages.

Somerset County also issued an alert asking residents to "avoid all unnecessary travel and adhere to all road closures if you must travel."

The winter storm begins Tuesday and continues into Wednesday. Heavy rain will fall with 1 to 3 inches expected and up to 4 inches possible in some areas.

Couple that with snow melt and moderate to major river flooding is possible.

The National Weather Service projects the Raritan River in Manville and Bound Brook, the North Branch Raritan River on the Branchburg and Bridgewater border, and the Millstone River in Blackwells Mills are all expected to hit "moderate" flood levels by Wednesday morning. Read More: Raritan, Millstone Rivers Projected To Flood Wednesday

A Flood Watch is in effect from 1 p.m. on Tuesday through 6 p.m. on Wednesday. A Wind Advisory is also in effect from 5 p.m. on Tuesday through 3 a.m. on Wednesday in Somerset County.

Here is a look at the upcoming forecast:

Tuesday: Rain, mainly after noon. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 50. Breezy, with an east wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Rain, mainly before 3 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 45. Windy, with a southeast wind 25 to 30 mph becoming south 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph.

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