Tropical storm NWS map

The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a tropical storm watch and a flash flood watch for the region.

A tropical storm watch means tropical-storm-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours. Trenton and Princeton are in the watch area. Wind gusts of 50 miles per hour are possible. The high winds are expected to bring down trees, power lines, fences, and signs. Residents are advised to secure lightweight objects like trashcans now before the storm hits the area.

Residents should expect hazardous driving conditions, and scattered power and communications outages.

A flash flood watch will be in effect for the region from Monday evening through Tuesday evening. Heavy rain associated with Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to start as early as late Monday evening and will continue through the day Tuesday. Rainfall of 4 to 6 inches or more is possible. A flash flood watch means that there is the potential for flash flooding that can be life-threatening. Heavy rain is expected to occur over a short period of time. Rapidly rising floodwaters could quickly inundate roadways and areas of poor drainage. Streams and creeks could leave their banks, flooding nearby properties.

Storm-related flooding is expected to be the worst between Tuesday morning and Tuesday evening. Extensive rainfall flooding could result in evacuations of flood-prone areas, especially since the ground is already saturated from previous rain.

According to the National Weather Service, the situation is also somewhat favorable for tornadoes.