India, July 31 -- A state of emergency has been declared for New Jersey on Thursday amid intense flash flooding and thunderstorms across the state. Forecasters have noted that certain areas can expect up to seven inches of rain on Thursday and Friday. The state of emergency takes effect at 2 PM local time for all 21 counties.

Affected counties include Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Mercer, Somerset, Morris, Passaic, Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren, with northern areas like Union and Somerset hit hardest.

"Beginning this afternoon, we are expecting severe thunderstorms to bring heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts with the potential for flas...