PHOTOS: Jersey City Cleanup Commences As Floodwaters Subside

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Hours after Tropical Storm Ida wreaked havoc on Jersey City, business owners, neighbors and city workers took to the streets to begin the cleanup process.

While most of the streets throughout the city were no longer underwater — a walk down most blocks, from Greenville to the Heights, would show you people hanging carpets, boxes and sofas out in the sun to dry after flooding entered many homes. Sirens and fire trucks whirred down streets throughout the day. The city advised residents with flooding in their basements and homes to call 911 to be added to a list for firefighters to pump water out.

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According to the National Weather Service, Jersey City got 6.5 inches of rain, overwhelming streets, homes and cars. There are close 100 cars abandoned in Jersey City's streets, Fulop said.

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency across New Jersey Wednesday night as Tropical Storm Ida wreaked havoc, spawning powerful tornadoes and significant flash flooding from south to north.

Several businesses in Jersey City had to close for the day as they handled flood damage within their storefronts. The Hair Room in the Heights, at 467 Palisade Ave, had to close on Thursday and is planning on staying closed on Friday as well due to flooding.

"It's definitely going to put a dent in business — we're lucky we were able to transfer some of our customers to our Downtown location, but still," said owner Anatalie David.

The 1,400-square-foot space had water covering the floors overnight, soaking the trendy sofas and vibrant colored rugs that decorated the salon. The furniture, instead, decorated the sidewalk overlooking Riverview Fisk Park, in the hopes the sun might dry it out. David said the salon has only been open in the Heights location for about a year, and opened just after the pandemic-closures began to loosen. The flooding was just one more disaster they hadn't accounted for.

Across the street in Riverview Fisk Park, Department of Public Works crews were spread over the park, picking up debris with handheld grabbers and trash bags. Chemical cleaning deposits were placed in the park fountain to sanitize it. The cleanup didn't stop several residents from enjoying the sun in the park and laying a blanket on the damp grass.

Nearby at the Hoboken-Jersey City border, the flooding was still profound into the late afternoon, with several cars partially submerged in water. The intersection of New York Avenue and Harrison Street proved dangerous with at least four cars stalled in and alongside the waters.

Jimmy Stewart parked his car just after the light-rail railroad tracks but before the floodwaters to try to flag down and stop other drivers from passing through.

"I've already seen a couple cars get stuck in there," Stewart said, "It's crazy people are still driving through this, and that the roads aren't blocked off!"

In a warehouse just off Harrison street, Bob Luland was surveying the damage to the street below and the four cars that were left abandoned in the floodwaters.

"This happens whenever it pours! You should've seen during Sandy — you could push the cars forward, they were just floating through the water," Luland said.

He's the owner of Good Old Motorcycle Parts Company in Hoboken, but Luland is a resident of Jersey City. With his business open in the area since 1988, he said he's seen his fair share of flooding. Thankfully, none of it has touched his business.

The city announced on Thursday afternoon that it would be putting public dumpsters at different locations throughout the city, so residents can more easily clear out debris from the storm. The city added that the Division of Quality of Life is receiving a high volume of calls, so the Residence Response Center & the Office of Code Compliance hours are extended on Thursday to 8 p.m.