Flash Flood Warning Hits South Jersey

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly issued a flash flood warning at 12:58 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Aug. 5, for parts of South Jersey and nearby southeastern Pennsylvania as heavy rain moved into the region. The warning covered northwestern Burlington County, northwestern Camden County and northeastern Gloucester County in New Jersey, along with parts of Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania. Forecasters said radar showed rainfall rates of 0.5 to 1 inch in 30 minutes, with as much as 2 additional inches possible. The agency said flash flooding was ongoing or expected to begin shortly. ### Which South Jersey counties were included? Northwestern Burlington County, northwestern Camden County and northeastern Gloucester County were named in the warning issued by the Mount Holly office on Wednesday afternoon. The alert also listed Camden, Gloucester City, Cherry Hill, Mount Laurel, Willingboro, Lumberton, Bellmawr, Burlington and Mount Holly among the places that could see flash flooding. (inws.ncep.noaa.gov) Patch’s Moorestown site also reported a South Jersey flash flood warning on Wednesday, saying traffic along I-295 and other major highways was included in the risk area. ### Which highways were flagged in the alert? Interstate 295 in New Jersey between mile markers 25 and 48 was specifically named in the National Weather Service bulletin. The warning also covered the New Jersey Turnpike between exits 3 and 5, Interstate 676 in New Jersey between mile markers 0 and 4, and Interstate 76 in New Jersey between mile markers 0 and 3. (inws.ncep.noaa.gov) In Pennsylvania, the alert named stretches of Interstate 76, Interstate 95 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. (patch.com) The National Weather Service said the threat included flooding of highways, streets, underpasses and other low-lying or poor-drainage areas. ### How much rain did forecasters expect? Radar indicated rainfall rates of 0.5 to 1 inch in 30 minutes at the time the warning was issued, according to the Mount Holly office. Additional rainfall amounts of up to 2 inches were possible in the warned area, the bulletin said. (inws.ncep.noaa.gov) The Philadelphia/Mount Holly weather office said in its weather story on Wednesday that damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding were the main threats with any thunderstorms that developed across the region. (inws.ncep.noaa.gov) ### What were residents told to do? “Turn around...don’t drown when encountering flooded roads,” the National Weather Service said in the warning. (inws.ncep.noaa.gov) The agency added that most flood deaths occur in vehicles and told residents to be aware of their surroundings and not drive on flooded roads. The Mount Holly office’s public hazards page and main forecast page both showed active flash flood warnings on Wednesday, alongside other regional advisories. (weather.gov) ### How long was the warning in effect? The 12:58 p.m. EDT bulletin said the flash flood warning was in effect until 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. The National Weather Service said residents should continue to monitor official alerts because conditions and warning areas can change as storms move. (inws.ncep.noaa.gov) Weather.gov’s Philadelphia/Mount Holly pages remained the central source for updated warnings, radar and local hazard information on Wednesday evening. (weather.gov) (inws.ncep.noaa.gov)