Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency Monday night as
flash flooding
hit multiple parts of New Jersey.
Murphy asked residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
“I have declared a State of Emergency out of an abundance of caution due to flash flooding and severe thunderstorms across the state,” Murphy said.
“I urge New Jerseyans to exercise caution, follow all safety protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
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N.J. power outages: Thousands in dark as thunderstorms, flash floods slam state
Over 3 inches of rain had fallen in Bound Brook in Somerset County Monday and almost 2.5 inches of rain had fallen on the eastern side of Morris County and in areas of Rahway in Union County by 7 p.m., according to rainfall data monitor cooperative.
At 5:38 p.m.,
authorities in Watchung said
the town was under heavy flooding, including Route 22, and asked motorists to avoid driving if possible, according to a nixle alert.
By 6:15 p.m., several roads were closed and residents were asked to shelter in place, police said.
Images shared with NJ Advance Media from
Watchung show a car perched
atop a concrete barrier with others vehicles half submerged under water.
Another video shared with NJ Advance Media shows traffic stopped and a car stranded on the northbound side of Route 287 due to flooding.
Slow-moving storms caused
flood warnings to be issued
across the majority of North Jersey counties Monday evening with a risk of
3-5 inches of rain possible
in some areas.
A city council meeting in Plainfield was canceled as a result of the flooding and city officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel,
according to a social media post
from the city.
South Plainfield police said the town was experiencing major flooding and that “many roads are being closed” on
social media at 6 p.m. Monday
.
Union County officials said emergency dispatch centers were overwhelmed with residents calling with non-emergencies asked for residents to only call 911 in life-threatening situations.
“Public Safety agencies across Union County are aware of and responding to multiple issues related to the current storm,”
Union County officials said
on social media at 6:37 p.m.
In Somerset County, officials said the entire county was under a shelter-in-place order and that no travel was permitted as of 8:21 p.m.
“All Somerset County residents and businesses are to shelter in place,” county officials said
in an emergency alert
. “No one is to travel. Roads are flooded and conditions are extremely dangerous.”
More flash flooding warnings rolled in for southern counties including Camden County along the Delaware River where a flash flood warning was declared at 7:45 p.m. through 11:45 p.m. Monday.
The National Weather Service
issued a flash flood warning
for Burlington County around 7:45 p.m. Monday as well.
Stories by
Matthew Enuco
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