The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued a tornado watch for the Princeton region that is in effect until 7 p.m. Monday. The watch covers 13 counties in New Jersey, including Mercer, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Monmouth counties in Central New Jersey, and Bucks County in Pennsylvania.

A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for the development of storms that could produce tornadoes, and that you should be prepared in case a tornado strikes. Watch out for dark, rotating clouds. If you see one, take shelter immediately. If you can safely get to a sturdy building, then do so immediately. Go to a safe room, basement, or storm cellar. If you are in a building with no basement, then get to a small interior room on the lowest level.

A flood warning also is in effect for Northwestern Mercer County, West Central Middlesex County, Southwestern Somerset County, and Southeastern Hunterdon County until 6:15 p.m. on Monday. due to heavy rain and thunderstorms. Flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the warning area. According to the National Weather Service, locations that may experience flooding include South Brunswick, Manville, Flemington, Hopewell, Rocky Hill, Millstone, Skillman, Belle Mead, and Kingston.

Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters. Turn around, don’t drown. Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water. Evacuate if told to do so.

In Somerset County, as of 2:45 p.m. South Middlebush Road is closed between Bennetts Lane and Blackwells Mill Road due to flooding. Seek an alternate route.

Krystal Knapp

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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.