Death Toll Ticks Up In New Jersey As Recovery From Superstorm Ida Begins

NEW JERSEY - It wasn't a knock-out blow, but the remnants of Hurricane Ida staggered the Garden State and the recovery is just in its infancy. Beyond the massive flooding and tornado damage, the superstorm has claimed more than two dozen lives in New Jersey.

The latest numbers Friday afternoon showed Hunterdon County with six deaths, Union County and Somerset with five, Essex County with four, Middlesex with three and Mercer, Bergen and Passaic had one each for a total of 26.

Speaking on NBC News’ TODAY Murphy confirmed that the death toll is expected to keep rising as the cleanup continues.

"We know of at least six people who were missing. And I have to say this, that the tornado did not take any lives. As just as awful as that was, as destructive as it was, and I visited with some of the families yesterday, everybody went down into the basement and they lived," Murphy said. "All of these deaths are related either directly or indirectly to flooding and water, either in cars or homes."

Here is some of our hyperlocal coverage from Ida coverage day 3.

• 3 Tornadoes Confirmed In NJ Following Ida's Historic Wrath
• Missing Woman From Bridgewater Flood Found Dead
• Former Rhythms Nightclub Explodes In Somerset County: Video
• Seton Hall Student Missing Amid Ida Flooding, Search Launched
• VIDEO: Helicopter Rescues Princeton Man From Ida Flooding
• Fundraisers, Donations Set Up To Help Somerset Co. Flood Victims
• 3 Cars, 1 Driver Rescued In Chatham After Ida
• $10M Ida Storm Aid Proposed For Small NJ Businesses: Murphy

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There was also some non-Ida news happening in New Jersey.

• Rep. Mikie Sherrill Of NJ Votes To Hike US Military Budget
• Labor Union Puts Casket Outside Edison School; Admin Topples It
• Tinton Falls Woman Found Guilty Of Murder, Other Charges
• 5 Centenarians Celebrate Birthdays At Greater Morristown Home

Beyond New Jersey

• 7 Tornadoes Confirmed In Philly Area During Ida's Historic Wrath
• Dallas-Area Principal On Leave After Critical Race Theory Dustup
• Dallas Abortion Activists Give 'A Handmaid's Tale' A Texas Twist