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NJ declares state of emergency as rain continues to pound region
By
Karen Yi
Published Sep 29, 2023
Modified Sep 29, 2023
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By
Karen Yi
Published Sep 29, 2023
Modified Sep 29, 2023
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Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for New Jersey Friday, following hours of unrelenting rain that blanketed parts of the state and is expected to continue into the night.
“Flooding remains a significant concern due to the heavy rains much of the state already experienced this week,” Murphy said in a statement. "Residents should stay off the roads, remain alert, and follow all safety protocols."
Parts of New Jersey could get pounded with as many as eight inches of rain today, as remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia sweeps the state and surrounding area. About one to two inches of rain have already fallen across most of the Garden state with parts of Ocean and Monmouth counties along the Shore seeing up to four inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service earlier Friday issued flood watches for 14 counties and coastal flooding advisories in 11 counties. A flash flood warning was also in effect for Hudson County until 3 p.m.
“This is a treacherous storm,” Murphy said on WCBS this morning. “We’re not done with this thing unfortunately. If you don’t have to go out this is a good one to sit out if you can.”
Traffic backed up in North Bergen, New Jersey after the storm.
David Brand for Gothamist
He warned that the worst of the storm is still to come. As of 9:30 a.m., Murphy said there had been at least 27 weather-related accidents in the Garden State.
Hoboken declared a state of emergency late Friday morning, after its Office of Emergency Management warned drivers to avoid the southern entry point into the city due to road closures.
“I urge residents to stay off roads and only travel if it is essential, especially during the evening rush hour when we anticipate more rain,” Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement. “I also ask everyone to please not move barricades, and to not walk or drive through floodwaters.“
The downpour forced officials to suspend the start of the annual Hudson County Fair at James J. Braddock Park in North Bergen.
Anthony Vanieri, a Hudson County commissioner who chairs the county’s Democratic Party, said on Facebook that the opening of the 10-day fair is now set for Saturday.
As of 5 p.m. Newark Airport was reporting inbound flight delays of about an hour.
In Fairfield, in Essex County, local police were also urging residents to avoid driving down flooded roads. In a Facebook post, police said they rescued a motorist from his car off flooded Passaic Avenue.
Additional reporting by David Brand.
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Karen Yi
Karen Yi covers homelessness and poverty. She joined the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom in 2020. Before that, Karen covered Newark for the Star-Ledger and spent almost a decade working for newspapers in New Jersey and Florida. She grew up in Miami and has a dog named Cashew. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-589-1460.
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