"Do not drive through flooded roadways," authorities warned on Monday.
|Updated Mon, Dec 18, 2023 at 5:48 pm ET
SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — As flooding continues to impact the area, Somerset County closed the East Street flood gates in Bound Brook, Somerset County Public Safety announced around 3:40 p.m.
The Raritan River continues to rise as of 3:25 p.m. In Manville, the river is at 17.39 feet at the moderate flooding stage.
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More than 2,000 residents remain without power in Somerset County as of 3:20 p.m.
JCP&L is reporting 280 customers are still without power in Bedminster, Bernards, Bernardsville, Hillsborough, Far Hills, Peapack and Gladstone.
PSE&G is reported 2,966 customers without power with the majority in North Plainfield and Green Brook.
"Due to high levels of flooding, residents are asked to avoid roads in the county and stay home if possible," said Somerset County Safety.
Authorities are also warning "Do not drive through flooded roadways!"
A flood warning remains in effect through Wednesday.
Green Brook issued a State of Emergency for its town and closed all Township schools. Bernards Township's Oak Street school has a two-hour delayed opening due to a power loss.
As of around 5 a.m. many areas in Somerset County have already received between 2 to 3 inches of rain overnight.
Take a look at the rain totals as of 5 a.m. from the NWS.
Bridgewater - 3.24 inchesHillsborough - 3.07 inchesGreen Brook - 3.04 inchesBranchburg - 2.95 inchesBedminster Township -2.84 inchesBelle Mead - 2.64 inchesSomerville - 2.62 inchesFar Hills - 2.54 inchesPottersville - 2.51 inchesSomerset - 2.27 inchesBlackwells Mills - 2.27 inches
And more rain is expected to fall Monday morning.
A flood watch has been issued for the area through 2 p.m. on Dec. 19 as rain continues to fall.
"Rainfall totals of 2.0 to 5.0 inches are expected, with the heaviest rain continuing for a time this morning," said the National Weather Service(NWS). "Flooding is ongoing in several areas given the excessive rainfall on already saturated ground. The steadiest rain this morning should end as some showers into this afternoon."
As a result, excessive runoff may cause flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may also occur in poor drainage and urban areas.
Due to flooding the following Somerset County parks are closed on Monday:
North Branch Raritan River at South Branch is at 11.46 feet as of 10 a.m. (major flooding stage).
The Millstone River at Griggstown is at 14.61 feet as of 10 a.m. (moderate flooding stage) just below major flooding at 15 feet.
Millstone River at Blackwells Mills is at 9.38 feet (near flooding stage) but projected to hit moderate flooding at 12.8 feet by 7 p.m. on Monday.
Continue to check back with Patch as this list is updated throughout the day.
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