Flooding Closes Streets In Nutley; Drivers Need Rescue Amid Rain Storm

NUTLEY, NJ — Flooding and reports of stranded drivers hit Nutley on Monday after parts of New Jersey were walloped by rainy weather.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook and a Flood Watch that will remain in effect in the Essex County region until 5 p.m.

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A flash flood warning for Essex County hinted at the potential dangers for drivers and people who live in areas prone to flooding:

“Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low-lying spots.”

The prediction came true for parts of the county, including Nutley.

According to Nutley Police Director and Chief Thomas Strumolo, local emergency responders have been barricading areas of town that are experiencing flood conditions.

First responders have been helping drivers out of their submerged vehicles, Nutley authorities said, warning residents not to drive through flood waters.

As of Monday morning, the following areas were closed in Nutley:

• Passaic and Rutgers
• River Rd and E Centre
• Brookfield and Brookway
• Rutgers and Whitford
• Kingsland and Bloomfield
• Harrison and Franklin

All parks and paths should be avoided where river is overflowing, and drivers should stay off the roads unless it's "absolutely necessary," Nutley officials said.

Nutley residents should remove leaves from storm drains if possible, officials added.

RIVERS RISE

Weather forecasters said it was "likely" that rivers and streams in North Jersey may flood during the coastal storm. Read More: 'Flood Outlook' Map Says North Jersey Rivers 'Likely' To Flood

According to the NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, water levels at two nearby rivers have risen above their typical ranges as of Monday.

The Third River at Bloomfield was at 6.22 feet at 8:05 a.m. The flood stage is 6 feet.

Meanwhile, the Peckman River at Verona was at 3.53 feet at 7:40 a.m. The flood stage is 3.5 feet.

NUTLEY, BELLEVILLE WEATHER FORECAST

Here’s this week’s weather forecast for the Nutley/Belleville area as of Monday morning, according to the NWS:

Today: Rain, mainly before 1pm. Temperature falling to around 51 by 5pm. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Northwest wind 7 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 45.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.

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