Flash Flooding Traps Drivers, Tornadoes Devastate New Jersey As Ida Wreaks Havoc

Updated, 8 a.m.

TRENTON, NJ — 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.

At least one person died and two others were missing in Passaic, as floodwaters from the Passaic River inundated part of the city. Vehicles were caught in flooded streets in several towns and there were multiple water rescues, according to multiple reports.

As the cleanup began, New Jersey Transit rail service remained shut down in northern New Jersey, and at Newark Liberty International Airport, flights were slowly beginning to resume.

"The storm has passed but our crews are working diligently to clear residual flooding & return ops to normal," airport officials tweeted. "As of now, 370 flights are canceled today at #EWR. Passengers are strongly urged to check with their carriers before heading to the airport."

Speaking on Good Morning America, Murphy urged residents to not travel unless necessary.

"We just would beg folks to stay off the roads, stay home if you can," Murphy said. He said he would be touring southern New Jersey, where authorities said multiple tornadoes hit, later Thursday morning.

In Trenton, Mayor Reed Gusciora ordered a partial evacuation of the city over flooding concerns.

Newark Liberty International Airport halted all flights and New Jersey Transit halted all rail service except for the Atlantic City line. Rutgers University delayed classes at its campuses in New Brunswick and Newark, and Seton Hall University canceled classes completely.

The New Jersey Turnpike was shut down for several hours by flooding in both directions just south of Exit 12 in Carteret, but finally cleared to allow drivers to resume their trips about 3:45 a.m.

Flooding also shut down the Garden State Parkway north of Exit 147, and that remained closed Thursday morning.

More than 60,000 homes and businesses were without electricity as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday as wind and rain brought down trees and power lines.

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Executive Order No. 259 declares a State of Emergency across all 21 counties, allowing resources to be deployed throughout the state during the duration of the storm, Murphy said.

"Tropical Storm Ida is severely impacting all areas of our state," Murphy said. "The safety of our residents is our main priority, and we urge everyone to be informed of local weather conditions and to stay off the roads."

Flooding shut down Newark Liberty International Airport: "We're experiencing severe flooding due to tonight’s storm. All flight activity is currently suspended & travelers are strongly advised to contact their airline for the latest flight & service resumption information. Passengers are being diverted from ground-level flooded areas," airport officials tweeted. Read more: Video Shows Newark Airport Flooding In Storm; Flights Suspended

New Jersey Transit suspended all rail service except for the Atlantic City line because of the flooding: "All light rail & buses are subject to suspensions, detours, and delays due to widespread weather issues. Please follow your line accounts for all continued service updates," NJ Transit said in a tweet.

Flash flooding closed roads across northern New Jersey, including shutting down the New Jersey Turnpike at Exit 12 in both directions for several hours. Drivers stuck waiting for the road to clear shut off their vehicles while they waited, a witness said.

In Passaic, Mayor Hector Lora told The Weather Channel that more than one person had died as a result of flooding that was 5 feet deep in places.

Trenton residents were being evacuated from lowlying areas along the Delaware River north of the state Capitol section of the city. The Delaware River was forecast to rise above flood stage by Friday. Electricity was being shut off to buildings in the evacuation zone as of 8 a.m., a letter to affected Trenton residents said. An emergency shelter was set up at a nearby school.

Rutgers University announced classes at the New Brunswick and Newark campuses would be delayed until 1 p.m. Thursday, because of flooding. Video posted to Reddit showed flooding in a dorm at the Newark campus. "Employees who can work from home should do so and should alert their supervisors," the university said. "Employees deemed essential will be told where and when to report by their supervisors."

Seton Hall University canceled all of Thursday's classes due to the flooding: "Pirate Alert! Due to excessive rain and flooding, Seton Hall's South Orange, Newark, and Nutley campuses will be closed Thursday, September 2. All day and evening classes are canceled," the university tweeted. It urged students to stay indoors and out of floodwaters.

Kean University canceled all its classes for Thursday as well, and told nonessential employees to work from home. Read more: Classes Canceled At Kean University Due To Ida Flooding

In Hoboken, the flooding left snakes swimming in one building. Read more: This Time, Hoboken's Flash Floods Have Snakes

Flood warnings continued to go out across the northern part of the state late Wednesday night as Ida continued to move north, and officials and the National Weather Service urged people to avoid driving through flood waters.

This is extremely dangerous and potentially deadly flash flooding ongoing in Somerset County, as well as others in the area. Please do not drive into flood waters. https://t.co/2BABdmw8LN
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) September 2, 2021

Ida arrived in New Jersey late Wednesday afternoon and wreaked havoc, spawning a powerful tornado in Mullica Hill that damaged a number of homes. Videos tweeted out showed walls and roofs ripped off, and some homes flattened. Another video showed two silos at a farm in the area knocked over. Read more: VIDEOS: Confirmed Tornado Rips Through South Jersey

"Gloucester County has experienced devastating storm damage," the Gloucester County Office of Emergency Management said in a social media post. "It is likely that multiple tornadoes have touched down within our communities."

From Gloucester County, the severe thunderstorms moved north into Burlington and Mercer counties, and the National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency declaration for Trenton — a rare event in the Northeast that was the result of the tornado that ripped through Mullica Hill showing signs of re-forming as it approached the state capital. Read more: Tornado Confirmed In Middlesex, Flash Flood Warning In Mercer

As Mercer County residents were being told to take cover because of the tornado emergency, the National Weather Service also issued warnings about flash flooding across the area. In Lambertville, flash flooding left a number of vehicles under water.

In Secaucus, flood waters left cars under water and prompted residents to compare the effects to Superstorm Sandy, which devastated towns along the Jersey coast in October 2012. The Holland Tunnel was closed due to flooding, and roads in nearby Carteret were under water as well. Read more: Secaucus Residents: 'This Is Sandy 2.0'

In Middlesex County, drivers had to be pulled from flooded cars in South Brunswick, and multiple roads were closed in New Brunswick and North Brunswick. Read more: Turnpike In Carteret Flooded, Plus Iselin, New Brunswick Roads

Flash flood warnings were expected to remain in effect until at least 4 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

BREAKING: Flooding right now in Short Hills, New Jersey. This is downtown!

Gov. Murphy declares state of emergency due to tropical storm #Ida. #njwx pic.twitter.com/0EWWfqHRpZ
— Tena Ezzeddine (@TenaNYCLA) September 2, 2021