Middlesex Boro Closes Schools As 'Major' Flooding Engulfs Town

MIDDLESEX BORO, NJ — At least one Middlesex County school district had to close schools early Monday due to severe flooding.

The superintendent of the Middlesex school district made the decision to dismiss all schools at 11:55 a.m. Monday, confirmed police. The tiny town is nestled between the Raritan River and Bound Brook, both of which overflowed their banks around midday Monday. Also, all town offices and town hall closed at 1 p.m.; the town is operating under a state of emergency.

"Significant efforts were made by the district and the police department to coordinate early dismissal as flood waters continue to rise," said police in a statement.

Police said all students got home safely. Also today: Holmdel Schools Close For Flooding

At 5:15 p.m. Monday the Raritan River reached 32.4 feet, said police. A river level of 32 feet causes "major" flooding in Middlesex borough, said police. And unfortunately, that's exactly what residents experienced Monday afternoon, in that drone photo above captured by local resident Omar Cardona.

The water is still rising: The river is expected to crest at 33 feet just after midnight Monday. Flood stage is 28.0 feet.

This does not beat a prior Raritan River flood crest of 33.1 feet, which occurred on Sept. 9, 2011.

Middlesex Police said a flood warning will remain in effect until 1:52 p.m. Tuesday.

"At 28.0 feet, backyard and low areas are protected by levees and the flood wall. Without the levees or if there is a breach in the levees, minor flooding will occur. At 30.0 feet, Main Street is protected by flap valves/sluice gates. This level triggers the gate closures to protect Main Street. At 33.0 feet, a large portion of Bound Brook is protected by the flood reduction project. Pump station operations become critical, at this stage, for the continued protection of the borough."

"The National Weather Service is showing that at 27.81 feet, Middlesex Borough is at risk of minor flooding with predictions of a rise to 32.4 ft by the evening hours, which is near major flooding. In anticipation of this we urge our community to use extreme caution while driving and stay clear of any flood waters. Several roads are closed to traffic at this time and we anticipate this number may increase before flood waters subside."