UPDATE: Multiple warnings for thunderstorms, flash flooding, tornado issued. Latest updates.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for 18 New Jersey counties Thursday with up to 65 mph wind gusts, flash flooding and hail in the forecast.

The watch is in effect until 8 p.m. The only three New Jersey counties excluded are Bergen, Passaic and Sussex.

New Jersey is already under a state of emergency due to flooding concerns.

A flood watch starts at 2 p.m. and runs until 6 a.m. Friday for most of the state.

The National Weather Service is calling for 1 to 3 inches of rain but says 5 to 7 inches is possible if stronger storms form.

Rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour are possible along with damaging wind gusts.

The weather service’s New York office, which covers Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties warned of an “elevated threat to life and property, particularly Thursday afternoon and Thursday night.”

The weather service’s Mount Holly office, which covers the remaining 16 counties said “potentially significant flash flooding is possible this afternoon into tonight.”

Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued early Thursday afternoon for Berks County in Pennsylvania as well as parts of Montgomery and Lehigh counties.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at [email protected].