State of Emergency declared in NJ

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency Thursday ahead of a storm that is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding. The declaration will allow state and county government to manage the storm, including the possibility of Hurricane Joaquin affecting the state.

Christie says it's too soon to know whether the hurricane will have a direct impact on the state, but warned of coastal flooding Friday and Saturday.  

Flood warnings and watches are in effect up and down the New Jersey coast already and rain began again Thursday.

Christie says he will consider evacuations if necessary, but that it's too early to know if that will be needed.

He told residents to prepare themselves Thursday.

Christie canceled a campaign stop in New Hampshire that was scheduled for Friday.

Click here for tips from the NJ Office of Emergency Management on preparing for a storm

Click here for tips from the CDC on ways to prepare for flooding

Track Hurricane Joaquin at MyFoxHurricane.com

App: Download the FOX5NY Weather App click HERE

With the Associated Press