Weather Service: Look Out for Flooding from Irene

With Hurricane Irene expected to hit the New Jersey coast this weekend, the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly issued a flood watch around 4:30 p.m.

The watch is in effect for much of the surrounding area including Bucks and Montgomery counties from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening.

At 5:30 p.m., the Weather Service also put a tropical storm watch in effect for the area.

Heavy and possibly record setting rainfall amounts over the weekend may result in major flooding across eastern Pennsylvania.

Smaller creeks and streams, like the Poquessing and Neshaminy creeks, will be highly susceptible to rapid flooding.  While some local rivers could also react quickly, the Delaware River reacts more slowly, but it’s also highly susceptible to flooding.

Here's the local forecast:

• Late Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 78. Southwest wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then a slight chance of showers between midnight and 2am. Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind at 8 mph becoming west. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind between 3 and 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind between 3 and 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. East wind between 3 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
• Saturday Night: Tropical storm conditions possible. Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.
• Sunday: Tropical storm conditions possible. Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 76. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
• Sunday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy and windy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 60%.