Warren Schools, Roads Closed In Ida's Aftermath

WARREN, NJ — It's all hands on deck as first responders continue to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ida.

All Warren Township Schools and Watchung Hills Regional High School are closed on Thursday.

Warren Police are continuing to ask residents to stay home.

• Subscribe to Patch for local storm updates: patch.com/subscribe

"Avoid all unnecessary travel. Numerous roads are still closed and water is still covering those roadways," said police.

Somerset County sent out an alert on Thursday morning stating "911 is for LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCIES. PLEASE DO NOT CALL 911 FOR anything other than that at this time."

Flooding also closed Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg and Route 202 is closed due to flooding near the border of Branchburg.

"Turn around, don't drown," Bridgewater Police said.

In Somerville, a house on Mercer Street exploded which affected about 10 nearby structures, according to Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Spokesman Frank Roman.

A building next to Mannion's Irish Pub in Somerville also collapsed last night. More information to come.

In Bound Brook, two flood gates were closed around midnight. A flood gate on East Street and the Queens Bridge, which crosses the Raritan River between Bound Brook and South Bound Brook, was also closed.

Around 7 a.m. on Thursday, Bound Brook residents south of High Street were told to begin evacuating ASAP by police.

The Raritan River at Bound Brook is currently 41.8 feet high as of 8 a.m. Thursday and expected to rise to 42 feet which is the highest level recorded, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In Hillsborough, all roads in and out of are closed due to flooding.

Hillsborough officials are pleading with residents to "Please stay off the roadways. Do not drive through water."

Somerset County has canceled all transportation and Senior Center services for Thursday.

"Residents are asked to shelter in place and not travel on the roads to allow emergency responders to assess and address damage due to the flooding," said Somerset County Spokesman Nathan Rudy.

Meal delivery residents are encouraged to use the frozen meals and heater meals delivered earlier in the season. The Office on Aging at 27 Warren Street will also be closed for walk-ins.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.