Ida's Destruction In Bridgewater Area: Explosions, Deaths, Floods

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater got slammed by Hurricane Ida leaving first responders scrambling to handle water rescues, death, destruction and flooding.

Multiple roadways in the township were impacted by severe flooding with some designated disaster areas including:

• East Main Street at Bound Brook Border
• Chimney Rock Road, between Thompson Ave and Gilbride Road
• Newmans Lane
• Route 28 near Country Club Road
• Vanderveer Road at Woodward
• Old York Road, between Branchburg and Raritan,
• Hillside Avenue by Somerset Avenue
• Woodland Terrance
• Mountain Avenue at Shepherd Avenue
• Tullo Road
• Beaumonte Way
• Wimple Way
• Linvale Lane
• Brookdale Drive

Chimney Rock Road was among those to be hit the hardest as it partially collapsed. It is currently permanently closed until further notice.

Bridgewater Police Captain John Mitzak said it the roadway would most likely be closed for three to four months.

Mayor Matthew Moench declared a state of emergency for the township and noted that there were more than 100 abandoned vehicles on township roadways.

Mitzak added that the police had at least 40 water rescues and 10 building collapses with foundations giving way in people's houses. The hardest hit area is Finderne and Bound Brook border.

The rising waters flooded the TD Bank Ballpark home to the Somerset Patriots in Bridgewater. Read More: TD Bank Ballpark Underwater, Waters To Continue To Rise: Photos

"The ballpark flooded like much of the surrounding area. We are in the process of evaluating to what extent and the damage caused," said Somerset Patriots President/General Manager Patrick McVerry. "In the meantime, we are thinking about all our neighbors dealing with flooding of their homes and businesses and hope everybody is safe."

A total of at least 23 New Jerseyans were also killed with four in Bridgewater and Hillsborough. Read More: 4 Killed In Hillsborough, Bridgewater During Ida Flooding

A community is also still searching for a Raritan woman who went missing when a flash flood hit her car on Route 22. Read More: Search For Woman Missing In Bridgewater Flood Waters

Raritan Valley Community College will be closed through Tuesday for cleanup. Read More: Raritan Valley Community College Closed Until Tuesday Due To Ida

Some recycling collections that were scheduled for Thursday in Bridgewater may be delayed. Residents should leave their recyclables at the curb, and the remaining items will be collected as soon as possible.

In Basking Ridge, a house was pushed off its foundation and 42 submerged cars and their drivers were rescued. Read More: House Pushed Off Foundation, 42 Submerged Cars In Basking Ridge

A New Jersey Transit train is causing issues on flooded tracks by preventing flood gates to close in Bound Brook. Read More: Stuck NJ Transit Train Stops Flood Gates From Closing: Videos

The Raritan Valley line remains suspended until further notice due to significant flood impacts.

There were also 2 houses that exploded in Manville and Somerville and another on fire. However, firefighters are having trouble reaching the Manville fire due to 8-foot-high waters. Read More: 1 House Explodes, 1 Still On Fire In 8 Feet Of Water In Manville

Duke Farms will remain closed until at least Tuesday due to extreme flooding.

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