On Monday, severe thunderstorms led to significant flash floods across New Jersey, prompting locals to share alarming videos of flooded streets and floating cars as the Garden State, along with New York and other East Coast regions, remained under a flash flood alert. The intense rainfall caused major disruptions, including significant delays for NJ Transit.
“Due to Amtrak signal issues, NJ TRANSIT rail service is subject to up to 40-minute delays in both directions between Penn Station New York and Trenton,” the service reported on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding Impact New Jersey
The National Weather Service issued a warning at 7:31 PM EDT, indicating that thunderstorms were producing 1–2 inches of rain, with an additional 1–2 inches expected. Rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour triggered life-threatening flooding in urban areas, highways, and low-lying zones, causing significant distress.
Plainfield: Affected Areas and Stranded Vehicles
Videos shared on X, showcased Route 22 submerged in water, with vehicles trapped in the floodwaters. Flooding on Greenbrook Road and nearby streets caused extensive damage, leaving 5,000 PSE&G customers without power by Monday evening.
Scotch Plains: Persistent Deluge and Emergency Responses
In Scotch Plains, locals reported a “deluge of rain” paired with “intense lightning,” leading to closures on Route 22 West due to serious flooding. Westfield also experienced negative impacts.
This severe weather follows a deadly storm on July 3, which killed three individuals in Plainfield and resulted in a state of emergency declared by Mayor Adrian Mapp, initially affecting 45,000 customers with power outages.
“Dangerous situation unfolding in NJ! Wouldn’t be surprised to see a Flash Flood Emergency soon for Union County. I-78 is closed near Plainfield along with Route 22 where vehicles are stranded in floodwaters,” shared one concerned local.
“MAJOR FLOODING underway in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, with cars underwater right now at Park Avenue @ US-22,” another resident added, highlighting the urgent need for caution in the area.
Stay Safe and Updated
As New Jersey continues to grapple with these flash floods, residents are urged to remain vigilant, follow local advisories, and stay updated on the evolving situation.
