Somerset County First Responders Overwhelmed After Ida Hits

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Stay off the roads and shelter in place. That is the message Somerset County first responders are pleading with residents to adhere to until Hurricane Ida passes.

Almost every single first responder in Somerset County is out on the road responding to emergency calls of people stuck in flooded waters, according to Somerset County spokesman Nathan Rudy.

Major flooding is already being reported along Route 22 and other areas of the county.

A man in North Plainfield shared a photo of a car on a flooded roadway and the rescue.

The Somerset County Office of Emergency Management (SCOEM) is asking residents to refrain from any non-essential travel on local, county and state roads until flooding has retreated.

"First responders from local, county, state, and federal agencies are working non-stop to protect lives and property during the current emergency, and any additional calls to assist motorists will simply add burdens to already overtaxed resources," according to the county.

Residents are asked to protect themselves, their loved ones, their neighbors, and first responders by sheltering in place for the remainder of this emergency.

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. Read More: Tornadoes, Flooding Prompt NJ State Of Emergency

The National Weather Services has issued flash flood warnings for Somerset County through Friday morning, and the SCOEM will continue to monitor the situation throughout that time and provide updates as circumstances require.

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