Westfield Recovering After Storm That Sparked Fires, Water Rescues And Closed Roadways

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield received more than 6 inches of rain on Monday as a storm moved through the Garden State, causing widespread flooding that claimed the lives of two people and damaged numerous homes.

In an update released Tuesday afternoon, town officials said 6.34 inches of rain fell on Westfield in just three hours, which is roughly 135 percent of the 30-year regional rainfall average of 4.72 inches for July. Officials said nearly 4 inches fell between 5:15 and 6 p.m.

For comparison, Westfield received 7.18 inches of rainfall during Tropical Storm Ida in 2021.

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The Westfield Police Department fielded more than 300 storm-related calls, including 34 calls for service related to disabled or destroyed abandoned vehicles. The Westfield Police and Fire Departments also conducted numerous rescues of people trapped in submerged vehicles on streets and roadways throughout the town.

Many of those rescued were taken to a temporary shelter established by the Office of Emergency Management in the Town Hall Community Room. Three people were treated immediately for exposure, and one also suffered a knee injury during a fall, according to town staff.

"Thankfully, no significant injuries were sustained by the public or town staff, and initial assessments indicate no major damage to any public infrastructure," officials said.

The Westfield Fire Department responded to approximately 40 storm-related calls, some of which were caused by lightning strikes to homes or objects like trees and utility poles.

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Two residential fires were confirmed in the 1100 block of Tice Place and the 700 block of Forest Avenue. Both were successfully extinguished with no reported injuries and minimal property damage, officials said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, all streets and roads were open except Springfield Avenue between East Broad and Mill Lane, where a tree, utility pole, street lamp and wires were down. Police remain on scene.

Westfield residents should call 908-789-4000 for ongoing non-emergency requests related to the storm. As always, immediately call 911 for emergency assistance.

On Tuesday, a flood watch was issued for seven counties, including Somerset, as the area remains at risk for additional thunderstorms in the coming days.

The flood watch begins Wednesday at 3 p.m. and runs through 3 a.m. Thursday and will be in effect for Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties.

The storms will be capable of dropping a quick 1 to 2 inches of rainfall within a 1 to 3 hour period, leading to flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly.

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