Weather
Nearly 70 People Rescued From Floods In Hudson County Town, Officials Say
Heavy rains in a short time caused flash floods around North Jersey, including Hudson County. Nearly 70 people had to be rescued.
JERSEY CITY, NJ — Heavy rain in a short period caused flash flooding in Hudson County on Thursday night, stranding drivers and pedestrians.
The storms brought 2 inches of rain to the area, a situation that's becoming commonplace with severe storms more frequent, scientists say.
Jersey City officials said 69 people had to be rescued from their cars by first responders on Thursday.
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City officials confirmed the number on Friday but declined to give more details.
Nearby in Hoboken, drivers, ShopRite shoppers, and people picking up children from day care had to make their way around rising floodwaters.
Find out what's happening in Jersey Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The National Weather Service had predicted that rain could fall at a rate of 2-4 inches per hour. In Hoboken, .8 inch or more per hour can overwhelm the sewer systems, local officials have said.
The city of Hoboken warned in a message Thursday, "Please do not drive around or move barricades ... Floodwaters can be deeper than they appear and cause vehicles to stall, which can impact emergency response times. Residents should not walk or drive through floodwaters."
The next round of rain is expected on Saturday night. The NWS says there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 p.m. Between a half and three quarters of an inch of rain may fall.
Follow Patch weather reports and input your email address here for free alerts to keep up with the latest forecast. READ MORE: Flash Flood Threat Increases For Hoboken Thursday
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