Flood Waters Trap Cars In Livingston, Cause Havoc Around Town

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A heavy storm dumped several inches of rain throughout Essex County on Sunday, causing severe flash flooding across the region – including Livingston.

Rainfall totals in Essex County ranged from 2.5 inches to 4 inches over the past 24 hours, which caused havoc throughout the region. See Related: Epic Flooding Soaks Essex County, Leaves Roads Impassable (Photos/Videos)

The National Water Prediction Service said that three rivers that flow through Essex County rose above their flood stages: the Passaic River at Newark, the Third River in Bloomfield, and the Peckman River in Verona.

In Livingston, the flood waters trapped cars, flooded basements and washed away road asphalt, according to Fire Chief Christopher Mullin, who shared the following list of incidents that took place in the township on Sunday night:

• 4 - Flooded Basement Calls - 2 Department pumps placed in service, 2- Homeowners advised of actions to take to correct.
• 1 - Elevator Entrapment - Westminster Hotel, Department cancelled prior to arrival.
• 2 - Fire Alarms - 3 Dellmead Dr, activated due to cooking, Litho's Restaurant, cancelled prior to arrival.
• 6 - Flooded Vehicle/Rescue Calls, 22 Wingate, One male driver removed from vehicle by F.D. Boat (see attached photo). Hillside Terrace - Three Occupants removed from 3 vehicles, 20 Stratford Dr - Report of occupants trapped in vehicles - Unfounded. Falcon Rd & Arlington Rd - Report of occupants trapped in vehicle, upon arrival occupants had self-evacuated. West Drive - Two occupants removed from a vehicle and walked to safety. Eisenhower Pkwy & Beaufort Ave. - Assist driver in floodwaters, vehicle pushed to side of roadway/disabled. Memorial Oval - reported female trapped in vehicle, upon arrival no vehicle found.
• Crystal Plaza - Portion of a roadway asphalt (approx 20') section had washed away and was in slow lane causing traffic hazard. Joe Giordano Landscaping assisted the Township with removal of the hazard from the roadway using his skid-steer. The roadway was reopened.

LOCAL FORECAST

The bad news? Livingston may not be in the clear yet.

According to the NWS, a thunderstorm is possible on Monday evening, with flash flooding and damaging wind gusts possible. Here is the local forecast for Livingston this week.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. West wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Northwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 75. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 78.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

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