Weather

4 Dead In Essex County After Ida, Governor Says: Storm Updates

Tropical Storm Ida took a tragic toll on Essex County, where four people died and at least one is missing, Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday.

Gov. Phil Murphy tours a street in Millburn, NJ on Thursday, a day after Tropical Storm Ida caused widespread flooding in the state.
Gov. Phil Murphy tours a street in Millburn, NJ on Thursday, a day after Tropical Storm Ida caused widespread flooding in the state. (Photo: Edwin J. Torres/NJ Governor’s Office)

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Tropical Storm Ida has taken a tragic toll on Essex County, where four people have died and at least one is missing, Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday.

Murphy said that 25 New Jerseyans have lost their lives to the storm, which ravaged towns across the state on Wednesday night and left nightmarish flooding in its wake. “Our thoughts and prayers are with every family and community mourning a loved one,” he said.

The governor didn’t provide any details on what towns or cities the other deceased were from in Essex County. >> Subscribe to Patch newsletters for local storm updates here

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A Maplewood man was found deceased Thursday amid the floodwaters. Authorities said it’s believed that he may have been attempting to remove debris from drains in the area, and was suddenly swept up into dangerous flood waters. Read More: Man Found Dead In Maplewood Floodwaters Morning After Storm Ida

Bloomfield officials reported Thursday that a local resident died amid the storm. Read More: Fatality Reported In Essex County As New Jersey Reels From Ida

Find out what's happening in Montclairfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Other fatality totals reported by the governor's office as of Friday include:

  • Bergen County - 1
  • Hunterdon County - 6
  • Mercer County - 1
  • Middlesex County - 3
  • Passaic County - 1
  • Somerset County - 4
  • Union County - 5

There are other residents who have been reported missing, including one in Essex County, Murphy said. Read More: Seton Hall Student Missing Amid Ida Flooding

STORM UPDATES IN ESSEX COUNTY

In addition to the lives lost, the storm and flooding devastated scores of local homeowners, as well as businesses and nonprofits around the county.

Millburn’s small business community was particularly hard-hit, Murphy noted. Read More: Millburn Continues Recovery Efforts After Hurricane Ida

Catch up with some other recent developments in Essex County below (click headlines to read).

Video Shows Newark Airport Flooding In Storm; Flights Suspended

Animals Didn't Escape Turtle Back Zoo In Storm, Official Says

Daring Flood Rescue In Livingston Makes Cops, Firefighters Proud

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