News Summary
North Jersey faced severe flooding and power outages due to a significant rainstorm that led to emergency evacuations and widespread disruptions. Areas like Morris County and Warren Township received the highest rainfall, prompting local authorities to respond to numerous flooding emergencies. Power outages affected thousands of residents, and roads were closed due to high water levels. As recovery efforts begin, officials advise caution as flash flood warnings remain in place.
Severe Rainstorm Causes Widespread Flooding and Power Outages Across North Jersey
North Jersey has been significantly affected by a severe rainstorm that struck the region over the weekend, resulting in widespread flooding, road closures, and power outages. Up to 4.33 inches of rain fell in various areas, with Warren Township reporting an exceptionally high total of 5.85 inches since Sunday afternoon. The rain led to numerous emergencies, including evacuations and rescues by local authorities.
Morris County was particularly hard-hit, experiencing flooding in towns such as Denville, Morristown, Hanover, Morris Township, and Florham Park. In Madison, a large fallen tree knocked out power for the entire borough. By Monday morning at 9 a.m., power had been restored to approximately 17,000 residents after initial outages caused by a lightning strike and the tree fall. However, a second power outage occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Monday as another tree fell on a power line.
In Butler, students from a traditional Okinawan Karate dojo lent a hand to remove water from the facility’s basement, demonstrating community support in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, in Passaic County, around two dozen individuals required evacuation from the Best Buy and Kohl’s shopping centers due to rapidly rising floodwaters.
Flooding disrupted several major highways, including Route 3, Garden State Parkway, and Interstate 287. As of Monday morning, authorities were closely monitoring several rivers in the area, including the Saddle, Passaic, and Hackensack, which were at high-water levels but were not forecasted to reach flood stage. The National Weather Service has noted that with saturated soils and elevated stream flows, the area remains vulnerable to flooding.
Emergency Response and Rail Service Impacted
Throughout the storm, the Morris County Communications 911 Center handled over 1,000 calls related to flooding and emergencies. Local emergency services responded effectively to numerous situations requiring assistance and rescues. Residents were advised on flood-safety protocols and were cautioned against driving through flooded areas.
The severe weather also impacted public transportation. New Jersey Transit experienced weather-related signal issues, which led to delays on multiple train lines. Moreover, as of Monday, over 2,900 JCP&L customers were reported to be without power across the state, with significant numbers in Hunterdon and Sussex counties.
Weather Forecast and Ongoing Alerts
As the storm subsided, flash flood warnings remained in effect for several counties, including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union. The continuous rainfall had already saturated the ground, contributing to further flooding concerns. Officials emphasized the importance of caution and staying informed as local conditions evolve.
This recent weather event poses a stark reminder of the potential dangers of severe storms and the importance of community resilience. The ongoing recovery efforts in North Jersey will require both local resources and continued support from community members to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- North Jersey Weather Report
- Wikipedia: Flood
- Morristown Patch News
- Google Search: Morristown Weather
- Daily Record – Morris County
- Google Scholar: Severe Thunderstorm Effects
- NJ Weather Update
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- Knox News Weather Report
- Google News: Severe Weather NJ
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
