Tornado watch issued for New Jersey as severe storms move through Tri-State Area
A Tornado Watch has been issued for most of New Jersey on Saturday as severe storms sweep through the Tri-State Area.
The following New Jersey counties are under the watch until 9 p.m.: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Sussex and Warren.
Check the latest severe weather warnings, watches and alerts
The National Weather Service says multiple rounds of heavy downpours and potentially severe thunderstorms are expected into Saturday evening, with flash flooding and dangerous rip currents possible.
The storms are expected to bring damaging winds, and there is a 5% probability of an isolated tornado, with the highest risk across northeastern New Jersey.
The entire Tri-State Area also remains under an Air Quality Alert until 12 a.m. Sunday due to smoke and haze from the Canadian wildfires.
Severe weather in New Jersey
A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for northern Ocean County until 9 p.m.
In North Bergen, cars crept through murky floodwaters, slowly trying to get through Saturday afternoon.
Larger SUVs were able to make it, but sedans were taking on water with floodwaters reaching the bottom of their doors as drivers tried to navigate the street.
In Newark, several vehicles were left stranded after streets quickly disappeared beneath floodwater. What's normally a neighborhood road looked more like a river as water surged.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill offered an update on social media as the state prepared for the possibility of power outages.
"We already have surged in a lot of utility providers to take care of the aftermath of any wind events or weather event," she said, "but they won't be able to operate if there are 40 mile or above winds or lightning, so we'll clean up as quickly as possible, but stay safe through the storm."
Severe weather in New York
Flash flooding swallowed the Clearview Expressway in Bayside, Queens, around 1 p.m., leaving vehicles stranded in rising water. Rescuers waded through the flood to help drivers and passengers escape their stalled cars one by one.
The flooding also brought traffic to a complete standstill as drivers abandoned their vehicles and waited for the water to fall enough to move again. All lanes of the Clearview Expressway were blocked.
There were also reports of flash flooding on the Long Island and Brooklyn Queens expressways. Drivers are reminded not to try to drive through flooded streets.
New York City Emergency Management says the office has activated its Flash Flood Emergency Plan. New Yorkers who live in basement apartments or flood-prone homes are urged to know how to get out safely and be prepared to go to higher ground.
Anyone who is trapped by rising water or in immediate danger should call 911 right away. New Yorkers can report downed trees and blocked catch basins by calling 311.
Gov. Kathy Hochul warned residents to be prepared for power outages, downed trees, road closures and flash flooding.
Event cancellations in NYC due to weather
Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan's concert at Citi Field was canceled Saturday night due to inclement weather.
"This was a very difficult decision to make, but the first priority is always to keep everyone safe," an official statement said, in part.
Ticketholders will be refunded. Kahan has another concert at Citi Field scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sunday. According to Citi Field's website, both concerts were sold out.
The severe weather forced the Yankees to reschedule their Saturday evening game against the Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader Sunday.
Beaches and pools in New York City and Nassau County on Long Island were closed due to weather, and an FDNY community block party in Queens was also canceled.
