Raritan, Millstone Rivers Projected To Flood Wednesday

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ ? A new "massive" winter storm system approaching Somerset County is expected to drop excessive rain on Tuesday leading to significant flooding in the area.

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.

The Raritan River in Manville is expected to hit the "minor flood stage" by 1 a.m. on Wednesday at 14 feet before rising to 17 feet around 7 a.m. Wednesday. It will then continue to rise to 18.5 feet by 1 p.m. on Wednesday before dropping back down on Thursday.

The Raritan River in Bound Brook will follow a similar timeline hitting a high of 32.3 feet by 1 p.m. on Wednesday - which is just below the "major flood stage" of 33 feet.

The North Branch Raritan River on the Branchburg and Bridgewater border is projected to hit a high of 13.2 feet by 1 p.m. on Wednesday, which is the "moderate flood stage."

The Millstone River is expected to hit the "moderate flood stage" at 12.8 feet by Wednesday at 1 p.m. However, unlike the rivers above, the river will remain in the "moderate flood stage" through Thursday.

The winter storm is expected to roll in during the latter part of Tuesday and continue 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.

Forecasters are saying that excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Area creeks and streams are running high and are expected to flood with more heavy rain.

In mid-December, heavy rain caused flooding and rivers to hit "major" and "moderate" flood stages in the county. Read More: Rushing Rivers Flood Roads, Parks In Bridgewater: Videos, Photos

Residents are reminded to "Turn around, don't drown."

Here is a look at the weather ahead:

Monday Night: Increasing clouds, with a low around 23. Calm wind.

Tuesday: Rain, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 48. East wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 45. Breezy, with a southeast wind 20 to 25 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: Rain before 7 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. High near 50. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

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