Flooding Possible Thursday Morning During Downpour, Hoboken Warns

HOBOKEN, NJ — With recent rains in Hoboken causing flooding even when not part of a tropical storm system, the city has warned residents about potential flooding during what's expected to be an intense rainfall Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service expects up to three quarters of an inch of rain to fall Wednesday night and then up to another three quarters of an inch early Thursday morning.

After similarly dire flood predictions a few weeks ago prompted a few schools in North Jersey to close, that storm veered slightly to the north of the area, resulting in frustrated parents. However, when officials and news outlets see a probability of danger, its necessary to release the information so residents can plan. In September, 30 New Jersey residents died as a result of Tropical Depression Ida.

The city said Wednesday afternoon in a message to residents, "Please be advised, due to the intensity of predicted rainfall between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. tomorrow morning, flooding is possible in low-lying areas of Hoboken.

"The Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to exercise caution as any intense rainfall of greater than 0.8 inch per hour could result in flooding in low-lying areas."

Last summer, Tropical Depression Ida unleashed as much as 9 inches of rain in North Jersey in a short time.

Avoiding Flood-Prone Streets

The Office of Emergency Management said they have posted “No Parking Signs” in low-lying, flood-prone intersections Wednesday. However, these are merely advisories, the city said. Cars will not be towed, but barricades will be deployed near flood-prone intersections.

Do not attempt to drive through floodwaters. Cars in Hoboken have become stuck in flooded streets, and in other places the floodwaters have proven fatal to adults and children.

The city advises residents to report flooded intersections and clogged drain inlets by calling the NHSA Hotline at (866) 689-3970.

Waste collection and street cleaning will occur as scheduled.

Learn how Hoboken and NHSA prepare for, respond to, and recover from intense rainfall storms. Learn about Hoboken’s efforts to mitigate rainfall flooding.

See prior flooding coverage in Hoboken on Patch: Flash Flood Traps Hoboken Shoppers In Supermarket Parking Lot