Key keywords: New Jersey weather live updates, NJ flash flood warnings 2024, Garden State severe thunderstorm forecast, NJ emergency weather alerts, NJ urban flood risk, NJ thunderstorm rainfall projections, NJ storm power outage risk, NJ weather preparedness tips The National Weather Service (NWS) Mount Holly Office and New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (OEM) issued statewide flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorm watches on Thursday, with dangerous weather conditions expected to impact all 21 counties of the state through 8 p.m. local time. Forecasters note that the slow-moving storm system is projected to dump 1 to 2 inches of rain per hour across most of the state, with isolated pockets in northern Warren and Sussex counties seeing up to 3.5 inches of accumulated rainfall over a 4-hour window. This heavy precipitation comes on the heels of 3 days of scattered light rain earlier this week, which has left topsoil fully saturated across most of New Jersey, drastically increasing the risk of rapid surface flooding even in areas that do not usually face flood risks. Low-lying neighborhoods, urban areas with limited storm drainage infrastructure, and regions adjacent to the Delaware River and Raritan River are under the highest flood risk, with officials warning that water levels could rise up to 2 feet in under 30 minutes in the most vulnerable zones. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has deployed more than 120 emergency response crews across major interstates including I-95, I-287, I-78 and the Garden State Parkway to clear blocked storm drains, stage tow trucks for stranded vehicles, and post warning signs at known flood-prone overpasses and underpasses. Officials repeatedly emphasized that drivers should never attempt to drive through flooded roadways, as just 12 inches of moving water can sweep away most passenger vehicles, and 6 inches of standing water is enough to stall most cars. Aside from flood risks, the severe thunderstorms are expected to bring wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, small hail up to 1 inch in diameter, and isolated lightning strikes that could down power lines and topple weak trees. Utility provider PSE&G has activated more than 300 line crews and tree trimming teams to respond to potential outages as quickly as possible, but noted that customers in hard-hit areas could see power outages lasting up to 12 hours. Multiple public school districts across the state, including Jersey City Public Schools, Newark Public Schools, and Camden Public Schools, announced early dismissal schedules 2 hours prior to the storm’s expected arrival, and all after-school programs, youth sports leagues, and state park outdoor events have been canceled through Friday morning. State officials advise all residents to stay indoors during the peak of the storm, keep an emergency kit with bottled water, non-perishable food, portable chargers and flashlights on hand, and monitor local OEM social media accounts for real-time updates on evacuation orders if applicable. Residents who encounter flooded areas or emergency situations are instructed to call 911 immediately.