Tropical Storm Elsa In Maplewood: Here's What's Still Coming

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The National Weather Service issued several advisories for Essex County about Tropical Storm Elsa, including a flash flood watch through Friday at noon.

Here's how to get the most up-to-date information:

• Track the storm with this National Hurricane Center map.
• Here is the National Weather Service forecast for the remainder of the storm (click here to get the most up-to-date forecast)

Flash Flood Watch

North Jersey — particularly the Newark region — was under a flash flood watch from Thursday at 9:38 a.m. through Friday at noon. Flash flooding is sudden and has proved fatal, particularly for those who got caught in flooded roadways or near a body of water that overflowed.

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The National Weather Service said this about North Jersey:

"Periods of heavy rainfall possible through Friday morning. Total rainfall ... through Friday is expected to range mostly 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts possible.

"A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation."

Friday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 3 pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 87. North wind 8 to 11 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers between 9 pm and 1 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 7 mph.

How To Prepare

Severe storms are becoming more frequent, scientists say. Hurricane Elsa is the earliest E-named storm in modern weather history. Here is another link to the storm track.

Here is guidance from officials:

• Do not park in or drive through flood prone areas.
• Limit travel.
• Secure Loose Objects: Residents should secure all furniture and loose objects outside or bring them inside, especially on balconies. Outdoor tents should be taken down depending on wind load.
• Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages. Do not go near downed wires. You can report power outages and downed wires to PSEG at https://nj.myaccount.pseg.com/....

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