Tropical Storm Debby continues to pose a risk to already waterlogged parts of New Jersey, with the National Weather Service predicting more than 7 inches of rainfall as the storm moves across the region. After Tuesday night's fierce thunderstorms, which caused streets to flood, the state now braces for the highest risk of heavy rain and flash flooding on Friday. Although Debby has weakened to a tropical depression, it still poses a threat with its potential for heavy rain and strong winds.

Currently located about 65 miles south-southeast of Charleston, Debby is crawling east at a snail's pace of 5 mph with maximum winds of 45 mph. The storm is expected to pick up speed and weaken further as it moves north-northeast across the Carolinas by Thursday and Friday, before heading towards the Northeast as a post-tropical depression by Friday and Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The impact of Debby's heavy rainfall is likely to be exacerbated by its merger with another front, and the National Hurricane Center warns of flash and urban flooding, as well as river flooding, stretching from Maryland to upstate New York and Vermont. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with localized amounts up to 6 inches, are expected through Saturday morning.

New Jersey, already saturated from the strong thunderstorms on Tuesday night, will bear the brunt of the expected heavy rain. Several towns, including Pennington in Mercer County, reported significant rainfall, with 7.76 inches recorded. Fairview in Burlington County saw more than 6 inches of rain, while dozens of other towns across the state received over 2 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

The impact of the storm was felt beyond just the heavy rain. Thousands of homes and businesses experienced power outages, peaking at more than 25,000 outages on Tuesday night. NJ Transit train service on the Morris & Essex line was suspended temporarily due to downed trees on power lines, but service resumed on Wednesday morning with 30-minute delays. Additionally, flooding on Route 17 north in Hasbrouck Heights near Route 46 forced a portion of the highway to be closed, as reported by the state Department of Transportation.

Though Wednesday is not expected to bring severe weather, there is still a possibility of showers and scattered thunderstorms on a mostly cloudy day, with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s. This pattern is likely to continue on Thursday, with further rain and the potential for storms, keeping temperatures in the 70s.

As New Jersey braces itself for the impact of Tropical Storm Debby, residents and authorities must remain vigilant in the face of additional heavy rain and potential flooding. It is vital to stay informed through trusted sources such as the National Weather Service and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during this challenging weather situation.