Belleville-Nutley Update: Ida Wallops Towns, Here’s The Latest

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Public safety officials had warned that things could get messy as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida passed through New Jersey. And on Wednesday night, weather forecasters’ predictions proved correct – including in Belleville and Nutley.

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency across New Jersey Wednesday night as Tropical Storm Ida wreaked havoc, spawning powerful tornadoes and significant flash flooding from south to north. >> Subscribe to Patch for local storm updates here

• Read More: 1 Dead As Flooding Traps Drivers, Tornadoes Devastate New Jersey

The storm took down wires and caused power outages across the state, including Belleville and Nutley.

As of 3 p.m. on Thursday, there were still 35 PSE&G customers in Belleville without power and seven outages, according to the company’s online map.

Nearby in Nutley, there were 31 customers affected and three outages reported as of 3 p.m.

PSE&G said that “extensive flooding, hazardous conditions and inaccessible roadways” hampered their efforts to get the power flowing again. For example, crews were unable to work in bucket trucks to make repairs in high winds.

“We are working with local first responders to physically get our teams to the hardest hit areas as safely and quickly as possible,” spokespeople said Thursday morning.

Here are updates for each township as they recover from the storm.

BELLEVILLE

Belleville Mayor Michael Melham reached out to residents Wednesday, asking them to batten down the hatches and sit tight until the storm ended.

“We are in a very serious emergency,” Melham urged. “Please stay inside and away from your vehicles. We have people stranded in vehicles. We have people stranded on the roofs of their vehicles. Local creeks and rivers have flooded. PD and FD are responding to all calls. All available personnel are in. We are dropping off stranded residents at Town Hall, McDonald’s and elsewhere.”

The mayor offered an update later that night:

“Currently attempting to reach those stranded, while moving those already rescued to higher ground. Several of our shelter locations are flooded.”

When the storm finally began to abate on Thursday, Melham gave another update:

“Belleville, we got hit really hard. Now the recovery begins! We have nearly 200 homes with water in their basements. DPW, can assist, please call them to get on a list, phone numbers on website. This was one of worst storms. There were local deaths, although none in Belleville.”

He continued:

“I listened to my police radio all night from my office, haven’t slept. I wish all residents could have heard what I heard. I’m very proud of all our first responders (PD & FD), and for the fine members of our DPW who were literally breaking windows with our backhoes and assisting in rescue attempts. I listened to police transmissions of people nearly being swept away from the current and thankfully grabbing onto trees, and eventually rescued.”

"Please be advised that the Department of Public Works will continue to work on cleaning up from the storm throughout the weekend," Belleville town officials said in a Thursday advisory. "We ask all residents to be patient as we continue to address this challenge."

NUTLEY

Nutley town officials also began sounding the warning call on Wednesday, advising residents to stay off the roads, avoid downed wires and “be aware of their surroundings.”

When the weather worsened, the Nutley Office of Emergency Management gave an update:

“Please be advised there is major flooding occurring within the township. Avoid any unnecessary driving at this time. Also, please be advised that there is a flash flood warning in effect for Essex County as well as a tornado watch until 1 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2. Please take appropriate precautions to protect yourself and your family. Please do not attempt to leave your house. Please only dial 911 for emergencies. We will issue further updates as we receive them.”

Photos posted in a Tap Into Nutley article showed serious flooding at the CVS Pharmacy on Harrison Street, with items strewn out on the sidewalk outside the building.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Belleville-Nutley Facebook page.