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Flash Flooding Strands Cars and Floods Basements Across New Jersey

Officials plan stormwater upgrades after intense downpours exposed recurring drainage failures

Overview

  • Short, heavy storms on Thursday produced flash flooding that covered roadways, stalled or stranded vehicles and left some residents trapped in their homes.
  • Emergency responders carried out more than 100 rescues, mostly for motorists who tried to drive through high water, and no injuries were reported.
  • By Friday morning floodwaters had receded in many neighborhoods and cleanup began, with neighbors seen clearing clogged storm drains by hand.
  • Residents reported repeated basement inundations and costly repairs while municipal officials say infrastructure work is planned to boost drainage capacity.
  • The storms capped the region's wettest August in five years, a shift that eased drought but also increased strain on local stormwater systems and heightens calls for faster fixes.