Flood watch issued for most of NJ. Here's what not to do during a flood

A flood watch has been issued for most of New Jersey starting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday and through the night into Wednesday morning.

The expected heavy rains are expected to also usher in cooler weather, but before that, a heat advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for all day Tuesday.

Here are some tips on how to stay safe and dry during the expected severe weather.

New Jersey under flood watch

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for 15 counties: Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerse, and Union.

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The flood watch went into effect at 2 p.m. Tuesday and goes until noon Wednesday for Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union counties. The rest of the counties are under flood watch from 5 p.m. Tuesday until 8 a.m. Wednesday.

The Florham Park Police Department in a social media post told residents to be prepared for the upcoming storm. "Between tonight and Saturday there should be varying degrees of rain and wind intensity, with the brunt of Hurricanet/Tropical Storm Debby to hit our area Friday and Saturday," the post read. "Severe storms are possible, local flooding is very much expected."

When is the storm expected to hit New Jersey?

The National Weather Service reports that a cold front approaching from the west will draw in tropical moisture from Tropical Storm Debby, leading to heavy rain and flash flooding late Tuesday through Wednesday morning.

According to the NWS meteorologist Robert Deal, the significant rainfall will bring cooler temperatures this week. "The week will be below normal but purely due to significant heavy rains, starting today," he said.

What to do before a storm

• Clear gutters and drains to prevent water backup.

• Secure outdoor furniture and other items that could be blown away or cause damage.

• Check your sump pump to ensure it is working properly.

• Move valuable items to higher ground in case of basement flooding.

Here's what you should do to stay safe in a storm, flood

• Stay indoors during heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

• Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.

• Keep an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, and important documents.

• Monitor weather updates from reliable sources.

More: To fix Ridgewood's flooding issue, experts outlined these measures

What not to do when there is a storm

The Florham police department urged residents to not drive through flooded roadways and to obey cones and barricades put in place. Here are additional measures you should take:

• Do not drive in deep water. Many flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.

• Do not attempt to walk or swim through floodwaters.

• Avoid using electrical appliances if you are wet or standing in water.

• Do not ignore evacuation orders or flood warnings.

Residents are advised to stay alert for weather updates and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during the anticipated heavy rainfall and potential flooding.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Flood watch issued for most of NJ. Here's what not to do in a flood