Large swaths of New Jersey grapple with heavy rainfall and swollen waterways as an intense storm system batters the Northeast. Gov. Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency amid dangerous flooding that could persist for days.
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Widespread Flooding Prompts Evacuations and Water Rescues
A relentless barrage of rainfall has dropped over 3 inches across New Jersey since Monday, with locally higher amounts nearing 5 inches. The downpours have caused widespread flash flooding and led multiple waterways, including the Passaic River, to overflow their banks.
Several neighbourhoods have been evacuated as floodwaters continue rising, with some areas completely inundated. First responders across the state have carried out dozens of water rescues of people trapped in flooded homes and vehicles. With more rain expected, many rivers may not crest for another 1-2 days, worsening flood conditions.
Passaic River Levels Reach Major Flood Stage
One area of concern is the swelling Passaic River, which reached central flood stage early Tuesday morning and is forecast to crest Wednesday afternoon at some of its highest levels on record. The National Weather Service warns that catastrophic flooding could occur along the river, estimating it may eclipse the previous record crest set during Hurricane Irene in 2011.
The Passaic has overtaken flood barriers and swallowed riverside parks from Chatham to Little Falls. Further downstream are mandatory evacuations for Paterson and surrounding towns, where the river could inundate thousands of homes and businesses. The region faces immense threats to property, infrastructure, and human life over the next 48 hours.
Multi-Day Rain Event May Rival Ida’s Wrath
While final rainfall totals remain uncertain, computer models suggest this slow-moving system could dump over 5 inches of additional rain before exiting New Jersey by Thursday. This raises the prospect that the current flooding could ultimately rival the devastation from Hurricane Ida in 2021, which killed 30 people statewide.
“The most important thing is for folks to stay informed of conditions where they live and work,” Murphy tweeted while imploring residents to avoid driving or walking through floodwaters. With a long-duration flood event unfolding, emergency management teams have their hands complete with responses across New Jersey.
All eyes are on the rising rivers and additional rainfall expected across already waterlogged areas. It remains precarious for many New Jersey communities facing flood threats into mid-week. Officials continue to stress vigilance and caution amid the dangerous conditions.
