Epic Flooding Soaks Essex County, Sends Rescuers Scrambling (PHOTOS)

This article was updated on Aug. 20

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A heavy storm dumped several inches of rain throughout Essex County on Sunday, causing severe flash flooding across the region – and the weather woes may not be over yet.

The storm soaked the region with a sudden downpour. Rain gauge measurements reported to the National Weather Service (NWS) ranged from 2.5 inches to 4 inches over the past 24 hours. Local readings included:

• GW3934 Cedar Grove – 3.31
• FW0683 Livingston – 4.01
• Maplewood Twp 0.9 SE – 3.47
• FW3790 Millburn – 2.88
• W2IRT West Caldwell – 2.71
• EW1297 West Orange – 2.77

According to the National Water Prediction Service, three rivers that flow through Essex County rose above their flood stages: the Passaic River at Newark rose to 7.74 feet at 7:36 p.m. (flood stage is 7.3 feet); the Third River in Bloomfield rose to 6.79 feet at 7:40 p.m. (flood stage is 6 feet); the Peckman River in Verona rose to 4.33 feet at 7:25 p.m. (flood stage is 3.5 feet).

According to the NWS, a thunderstorm is possible on Monday evening, with flash flooding and damaging wind gusts possible. NWS forecasters have issued a hazardous weather outlook for the entire Essex County area.

Read about some local reports of flooding in Essex County below.

BELLEVILLE

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham posted a message about the flooding on social media, noting that people should stay off the roads – and stay out of the water.

"Extra police, fire, DPW personnel [are] already in and more [are] on the way," the mayor said (see photo above).

Melham also noted that "all departments are currently performing water rescues."

Councilman Frank Velez also shared a message about the flooding in Belleville, reporting that Continental Avenue between Carpenter Street and Celia Terrace was closed. Standing amid water that reached up to two feet, Velez posted video footage that showed stranded cars.

On Tuesday, authorities confirmed that a 63-year-old Belleville resident was found deceased the morning after the floods. See Related: Belleville Man Found Dead After Flash Floods Ravage Essex County

BLOOMFIELD

Bloomfield was hard-hit by flooding, videos and photos posted to social media show, with flooding reported at Brookside Park, Bloomfield Station, near Watsessing Avenue at Franklin Street, Beardsley Avenue, Charles Street and Hoover Avenue, among other areas.

Several videos show cars stranded and abandoned in high waters, with people wading through the street in water up to their waist – several of whom were clearing out storm basins.

Bloomfield Mayor Ted Gamble posted a message about the flooding, reporting that a large amount of rain came down in a very short period of time, causing flooding throughout the township.

“Police, fire and DPW are responding to numerous incidents and many roads have been closed,” Gamble said. “Please stay inside and off the roads if possible.”

“We have a long way to go to address storm water mitigation and any solutions will take time as we address an aging infrastructure and an increase in weather events due to climate change,” Gamble added Monday morning.

The Bloomfield Police Department also warned of road flooding, advising drivers to turn around and find another route if they encounter a flooded street. No injuries were reported, a police spokesperson said.

Anthony’s Cheesecake and Restaurant shared a video of flooding on Washington Street (article continues below).

“Here we go again … praying for the best,” the restaurant’s post stated.

EAST ORANGE

Severe flooding was seen at Thomas and Dodd streets in East Orange, with one social media user describing the situation as a “new lake.”

FAIRFIELD

In Fairfield, police advised residents to avoid Passaic Avenue between New Dutch Lane and Greenbrook Road due to flash flooding.

IRVINGTON

Flood waters caused headaches in a residential area of Irvington near exit 144 on the Garden State Parkway, with one social media user posting a video that showed a torrent of water cascading down steps and into the streets.

LIVINGSTON

In Livingston, the flood waters trapped cars, flooded basements and washed away road asphalt, according to Fire Chief Christopher Mullin. See Related: Flood Waters Trap Cars In Livingston, Cause Havoc Around Town

A social media user posted a video from behind the wheel of a car, showing a completely flooded roadway as the vehicle crept along slowly.

MAPLEWOOD

Several streets were flooded in Maplewood, making them a hazard to drive through, police reported Sunday night.

"Please do not drive through flooded areas," Maplewood police told residents. "Refrain from driving if possible."

MILLBURN

A sinkhole was reported on Old Hollow Road along with several other street closures, Millburn town officials said.

“Follow all detours and road signs,” officials urged. “Do not drive around any established barriers.”

Millburn drained Taylor Park Pond in anticipation of Sunday night’s rainstorm, in addition to other precautionary measures such as making sandbags available to local residents at the DPW yard.

MONTCLAIR

Several streets in Montclair were flooded on Sunday evening. According to reports on social media, flooded areas included Pine Street, Claremont Avenue, Gordonhurst Avenue, Church/South Park streets, and the area around Porter Park.

William Scheckel posted a photo taken at 7:30 p.m. from the front porch of his home on the 100-block of Pine Street.

“Multiple cars are stuck between Walnut and Claremont,” Scheckel wrote. “There's one police car on site helping, but more cars keep coming. Avoid this road.”

The flood waters tore through Studio Playhouse, a nonprofit theater company in Montclair, which posted a message about the damage on social media and asked the community for donations to help it recover.

“We are heartbroken to say that yesterday’s unexpected storm has wrecked us,” Studio Montclair reported. “Flood waters gushed in by quite literally breaking our garage door open, and at its worst, flood waters rose to 3 1/2 feet. Our scene shop, props storage and green room have all been affected.”

NEWARK

In Newark, people shared photos and video footage of flooding at 1st and Roseville avenues, Park Avenue and 9th Street and 18th Avenue, among several other locations.

Dozens of residents were evacuated from a residential building on the 300-block of Park Avenue after a roof collapsed in the heavy rain. Sewer overflow was seen on Sunset Avenue, and McCarter Highway between Clay Street and Mount Pleasant Avenue was temporarily shut down.

The flooding in Newark forced Amtrak to suspend all rail traffic between New York Penn Station and Philadelphia.

According to a Monday morning update from Newark’s water and sewer department, cleanup crews were out and surveying the city.

“If flooding issues persist in your area, please call our Emergency Dispatch crew at (973) 733-3874 or at (973) 733-3654/3655 for emergencies after working hours,” city officials advised.

“The ongoing situation is completely unacceptable and poses a serious threat to the safety and well-being of residents and businesses in the area,” a frustrated resident reported on social media. “It is imperative that immediate action is taken to address this urgent issue.”

“These floods crazy out here, Newark nasty right now,” another internet user commented.

WEST ORANGE

A township spokesperson said there have been multiple social media reports about localized temporary flooding in West Orange that made travel difficult at times.

No information was immediately available about whether any flood related road closures, water rescues or other related issues took place in the township.

One social media user posted videos of a street along the Garden State Parkway, with several vehicles apparently stranded in the high waters.

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