Water Rescues, Power Outages, School Delays: See NJ Storm Aftermath

NEW JERSEY - Tuesday’s storm that prompted a state of emergency and after school activity dismissals across the state has left tens of thousands of residents without power Wednesday morning.

The powerful storm dropped nearly 4 inches of rain and blew 70 mph winds in some parts of the state, with downed trees and flooding prompting road closures, local and state officials said. Scores of schools announced delayed openings Wednesday (see list below).

Several rivers, especially in North Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania, are experiencing “moderate to major flooding” and will remain flooded though the week, the National Weather Service said in a statement.

Storm update: We are concerned with the area around the Passaic River, which is not due to crest until later today or Thursday.

We anticipate additional flooding in that area beyond what towns are experiencing this morning.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) January 10, 2024

Related: These NJ Rivers Expected To Have Major Flooding As Storm Arrives

But Mother Nature isn’t done with New Jersey just yet, forecasters said. Another storm is expected Friday, bringing up to 2 inches of new rain and wind gusts up to 60 mph, according to the agency. The added precipitation is set to “exacerbate flooding” through Sunday.

Rainfall Totals

North Jersey saw some of the highest rainfall totals Tuesday with Ramsey, Paterson and Parsippany all reporting totals well above 3 inches.

Several drivers in Belleville had to be rescued by local police, Patch reported. Read more: Drivers Rescued From Flooded Roads In Belleville Amid Storm

The shore saw upwards of three inches of rain near Berkeley, Toms River and Stafford while Cape May and Vineland saw just under 3 inches, the National Weather Service reported.

You can view rainfall totals for your town here.

Road Closures & Travel

Multiple Somerset County rivers are already at the major flood stage, Patch reported. Route 206 is now closed in both directions between Somerset Street and Dukes Parkway East due to flooding, according to Somerset County Public Safety. Read more: Raritan River Flood Warning In Effect Until Thursday Morning

All of Duke Island Park is underwater as of 10 a.m. Wednesday. Read more: Parks Underwater, Bridges Closed In Somerset County: Photos, Videos

Roads are flooded and causing delays in Point Pleasant, Bay Head, Toms River, Berkeley and more, with reports of trees down from Little Egg Harbor to Brick, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office said.

Several roads from Ridgewood to Middlesex Borough are also closed due to flooding. Read more: Landing Lane Bridge Closed, Many Middlesex Boro Roads Flooded

Mercer, Monmouth, Morris, Hunterdon, Warren, Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Union and Ocean counties remain under a flood warning until about 3 p.m. Wednesday. Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer, Gloucester, Camden and Burlington counties are under a coastal flood warning until this afternoon.

The following rivers are also under a flood warning:

• North Branch Raritan River At Raritan affecting Somerset County
• Passaic River At Chatham affecting Morris and Somerset counties
• Passaic River At Little Falls affecting Passaic and Essex counties
• Passaic River At Pine Brook affecting Passaic, Morris and Essex counties
• Pequannock River Below Macopin Dam affecting Passaic and Morris counties
• Ramapo River At Pompton Lakes affecting Bergen, Morris and Passaic counties
• Rockaway River At Boonton Below Reservoir affecting Morris County
• Wanaque River At Wanaque Dam affecting Passaic County
• Passaic River At Millington affecting Morris and Somerset counties

Related: Saddle, Ramapo Rivers Flood In Bergen County: See Current Stage

Newark Liberty International Airport has reported at least 38 delays and 69 cancellations today, according to FlightAware.

Power Outages

As of 9 a.m., JCP&L is reporting over 27,000 power outages across New Jersey. Another 9,226 were reported by PSE&G and 18,383 for Atlantic City Electric.

Winds hit 72 mph Tuesday night at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County, according to the National Weather Service.

A wind advisory remains in the state with winds up to 25 mph and gusts as high as 45 mph. The advisory expires at 6 p.m.

To report downed wires or power outages, JCP&L customers can call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877). PSE&G customers can call 1-800-436-PSEG. Customers can also report outages by by logging into their PSE&G account online or by texting “OUT” to 4PSEG (47734).

Schools

The following school districts will have delayed openings Wednesday:

• Bernards Township Schools
• Livingston Public Schools
• Mendham Borough Schools
• Mendham Township Public Schools
• Millburn Township Public Schools
• Mahwah Schools
• Paramus Public Schools
• Princeton Public Schools
• Ridgewood SchoolsRamapo-Indian Hills
• The School District of the Chathams
• Wayne Township Public Schools
• Westfield Public Schools

The following school districts are closed Wednesday:

• Chester School District
• Hillsborough Township Public Schools
• Manville Schools

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.

Here’s the latest forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

North Jersey

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers before 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a southwest wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 48 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 47. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. West wind 7 to 10 mph.

Friday: A 20 percent chance of rain after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. West wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Rain. Temperature falling to near 40 by 8 p.m., then rising to around 56 during the remainder of the night. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Central Jersey

Wednesday: Isolated showers before 10 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 46. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: A chance of rain, mainly after 4 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Rain before 1 a.m., then rain and possibly a thunderstorm between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., then rain after 4 a.m. Low around 41. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

South Jersey

Wednesday: Scattered showers before 11 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 48. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: A chance of rain, mainly after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 55. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 p.m. Low around 43. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.