Soggy Northeast fights rain, worries about floods

[March 10, 2011]  TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Flood watches were in effect across much of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York on Thursday as rain moved in and threatened to raise already swollen waterways out of their banks.

New Jersey's Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency on Wednesday so state police and the National Guard could mobilize forces in advance of the storm that was heading north after soaking the Southeast, where it tore roofs off buildings and flipped cars.

Rainfall amounts of 3 inches or more were forecast for portions of northern New Jersey where streams are still running high from a weekend storm that flooded many basements and forced evacuations in some low-lying areas.

The National Weather service warned of possible flooding in several New Jersey counties where a light, steady rain was falling Thursday and heavy rain was likely. It told residents of portions of New York's Lower Hudson Valley to watch out for flooding, too, because 2 to 3 inches of rain were expected to fall from Thursday morning and into Friday.

The rain was expected to be fairly heavy in areas north and west of New York City and Connecticut by the Thursday morning rush hour. Flood watches extended up to the Buffalo area and into the Adirondacks, where forecasts also call for several inches of snow.

Just a few days ago, a wild mix of snow, sleet and rain battered a wide swath of New England and upstate New York, dumping nearly 30 inches of snow on some areas, knocking out power to tens of thousands of utility customers, washing away homes and leaving many rivers and streams at high levels. Those swollen waterways, combined with the saturated soil, could result in moderate to major flooding, weather officials warned.

Weather advisories and flood watches were posted for much of Pennsylvania, where the storm system was expected to carry heavy rain to many areas and snow to some. A coastal flood watch also was posted.

In New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency late Wednesday in anticipation of flooding along the Ramapo, Passaic, Delaware and Raritan rivers, allowing emergency responders to mobilize early.

The Passaic River already is above flood stage in some spots and isn't expected to crest until Saturday.

In Pennsylvania, the Susquehanna River could rise as much as seven feet over flood stage in Bloomsburg. Pittsburgh could see up to eight inches of snow by Saturday morning.

On Wednesday, two apparent tornadoes damaged buildings and caused minor injuries near Mobile, in southwest Alabama, hours after several tornadoes were reported to the west in Louisiana. A woman died in a Mississippi house fire that authorities believe was caused by lightning.

Alabama authorities said only minor injuries were reported despite the destruction there.

Ambulances, police cars and fire trucks with flashing lights descended on the Theodore area near Mobile after the storm struck, overturning vehicles, nearly demolishing a gas station, knocking down power lines and causing ammonia and natural gas leaks.

Evelyn Thibeault said she saw a twister go by her shipping business, Theodore Mail, Ship & More.

"My front door flew open, and a plant flew across the floor," she said. "Everything just turned white."

Torrential rains caused flooding across a wide area of the state.

The National Weather Service also reported tornadoes in Kenner and around Lacombe.

In the village of Tangipahoa, authorities used boats and pickup trucks to evacuate a mobile home park after heavy rains caused a creek to overflow its banks, flooding about 20 to 30 homes. About 130 people were displaced.

[Associated Press]

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