Burlington County is preparing for another strong storm system that will potentially cause more severe flooding along the Delaware River and its tributaries.
The Burlington County Office of Emergency Management has declared a countywide state of emergency and is encouraging residents living in areas previously impacted by flooding to voluntarily evacuate.
An American Red Cross shelter is open at the Delran Firehouse at 9 South Bridgeboro Street and the county is prepared to open a second, larger shelter if it is required.
The latest National Weather Service forecast calls for between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain and potential wind gusts of between 40 to 50 mph.
Due to the saturated ground and high waters, moderate to severe flooding is forecast along the Delaware River and its tributaries during tomorrow’s high tides at around 3:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Minor flooding along the Rancocas Creek is also possible tonight and Saturday.
The combination of gusting winds and the saturated ground also increases the likelihood of power outages and road closures due to downed trees and wires.
Residents are encouraged to prepare disaster kits with essential items such as medications, important documents, clothing and necessary supplies and be prepared to evacuate on short notice if conditions worsen or a mandatory evacuation order is issued.
It’s important for residents to pay close attention to the weather forecasts and any emergency alerts from New Jersey, Burlington County or their local municipality.
Residents can sign up for real-time alerts and notifications from the Burlington County Department of Public Safety’s CivicReady Emergency Alert system online at http://co.burlington.nj.us/210/Emergency-Notification-Systems.
