1 Dead As Bergen County Continues Recovery Efforts Post-Ida

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Tropical Storm Ida brought heavy rains in a short period of time, causing severe flooding in Bergen County and leaving behind plenty of property damage. On Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy said the storm also resulted in the loss of life.

One Bergen County resident is dead following the storm, the Governor's Office announced in a preliminary count on Friday. Across the state, 25 people have died, two more than were reported on Thursday.

"I am deeply saddened to report an additional two fatalities, bringing our total to 25 New Jerseyans who have lost their lives to this storm," said Murphy. "Our thoughts and prayers are with every family and community mourning a loved one."

The Governor's Office didn't give details on where the dead were from in Bergen County, and a spokesperson from his office told Patch "we're not disclosing any further details at this time."

Cleanup efforts are underway across the county, and some regular elements of life are returning.

NJ Transit trains are running again in some parts of the state, and school has started in Fair Lawn.

But in Ridgewood, village offices and the community recycling center are still closed due to flooding.

The public school district also reported that two athletic fields at the high school sustained "significant damage," and the district is currently working through alternate plans for fall sports teams. Read more: Ida Causes 'Significant Damage', Evacuations: Ridgewood Updates

Over 100 residents had been evacuated across the county as of Thursday, county officials said, municipalities bordering the Hackensack and Saddle Rivers were hit particularly hard with flooding. Those communities include Lodi, Wallington, Hackensack, Rochelle Park and Saddle Brook in particular.

In Wyckoff, Mayor Melissa Rubenstein reports that the majority of damage came from flooded basements, but added that there were a number of downed trees, one that hit a home in the township.

Rubenstein also credited first responders, who she said were "nothing short of heroic in town and in Southern Bergen County where they've pulled people from submerged cars and saved lives throughout the night and today."

Glen Rock Mayor Kristine Morieko reported that areas by Diamond Brook and Saddle River also dealt with flooding, with "significant impacts on the County Park, and the area of Prospect Street in Glen Rock."

Morieko also detailed a list of hardships facing residents, including downed trees, power outages and basement flooding. In one instance, a family home had its foundation "blown out" by floodwaters, and the family was forced to relocate.

Rainfall totals in the county range from 3 to 8 inches across the county, with North Arlington reporting 8.8 inches, the National Weather Service said.

As communities take stock of the damage, and people seek help in the wake of the storm, Bergen County has opened the Housing, Health, and Human Services Center in Hackensack as a distribution site for hot meals and hygiene kits.

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