Newark May See Flooding If Stormy Weather Hits, Officials Warn

NEWARK, NJ — Newark authorities are warning the city’s residents to batten down the hatches and avoid flooded streets as weather forecasters call for possible storms on Wednesday.

After high winds and rain rocked several parts of the state the night before, Newark city officials issued a weather advisory, warning residents about predictions of severe thunderstorms beginning on the afternoon of May 29 and continuing into the evening.

“This weather event will likely include damaging winds, large hail and a potential isolated tornado,” Newark officials said.

• See related article: More Severe NJ Weather After Possible Tornado, Storm Destruction

Officials strongly suggested that people stay indoors and follow the below safety measures in the event of a tornado:

• Stay Weather-Ready: Continue to listen to local news and stay updated about tornado watches and warnings.
• At Your House: If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don't forget pets.
• At Your Workplace or School: Follow your tornado drill and proceed to your tornado shelter location quickly and calmly. Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
• Outside: Seek shelter inside a sturdy building immediately if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe.
• In a vehicle: Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe. The best course of action is to drive to the closest shelter. If you are unable to make it to a safe shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head, or abandon your car and seek shelter.

Special attention should be given to unsecured outdoor furniture, awnings, refuse and building materials, officials said.

For fire safety, utilize flashlights instead of candles if you lose electricity, officials said.

“The Newark Department of Public Safety is coordinating responses to burglar alarms, flooding conditions and other weather-related incidents through the combined use of police, fire and Office of Emergency Management Personnel,” officials stated.

FLOODING POSSIBLE IN NEWARK

In the event of a storm, many streets may flood and should be avoided, officials said.

“Because motorists can become stranded by driving through flooded streets and high water, drivers are asked to avoid the below locations and to use alternative routes,” city officials stated Wednesday morning. “Drivers are also discouraged from traveling through any streets that are flooded, have high water or are believed to be flooded.”

• See related article: Newark Streets Flood; Firefighters Use Boats To Rescue Drivers
• See related article: Newark Fire Crews Rescue Dozens Of Flood Victims (PHOTOS)

The following locations should be avoided due to flooding conditions or the potential for flooding, officials said:

• Clay Street and McCarter Highway
• South Street and Van Buren Street
• Jefferson and Chestnut Streets
• State Street near Broad Street
• Jabez and Backus Streets
• 357 Wilson Avenue
• Manufacturers Place and Hyatt Street
• Magazine Street and Avenue L
• Avenue L and Wilson Avenue
• Ferry and Foundry Streets
• Norfolk Street
• Orange Street
• Nesbitt Street
• McClellan and Frelinghuysen Avenue, and
• Frelinghuysen Avenue and the Route 22 underpass

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