More than 11.5 million people across the Northeastern United States are under a severe thunderstorm watch — including the Philadelphia metropolitan area and most of New Jersey.
Meteorologists say the area could see heavy rainfall, wind gusts of up to 70 mph and hail up to two inches in diameter. Frequent lightning is also expected across the region, which includes more than 200 hospitals and nearly 2,600 schools.
The watch, issued by the National Weather Service around 10 a.m. Friday, will remain in effect until 5 p.m.
A flash flood warning will be in effect for areas of southern New Jersey — including Atlantic City, Pleasantville and Ocean City — until 5:45 p.m. Residents are being urged to “move immediately to higher ground” and avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.
Just before 1:30 p.m., Doppler radar indicated that thunderstorms were already producing heavy rain across the affected area, with flash flooding already occurring or expected to begin shortly.
So far, between 0.5 and 1 inch of rain has fallen — but rainfall could intensify to 2 to 4 inches per hour, meteorologists said.
According to the National Weather Service station in Mount Holly, N.J., the storm could also produce quarter-size hail in Villas, Cape May Court House and Wildwood in New Jersey, as well as Georgetown and Millsboro in Delaware, where a tornado warning is in effect until 2:30 p.m.
Damages to roofs, windows and vehicles are possible, forecasters said.
