WEATHER ALERT: Toms River Area Flooding Strands Drivers, Residents; Several Rescued

The after-effects of thunderstorms have led to flooding that’s stranded a number of drivers and residents in the Toms River and Jersey Shore area - compelling police and firefighters to help rescue them.

• News12 reported that an elderly woman stuck in a car at the Jersey Shore got rescued by firefighter and police officer.
• There was flooding on Route 35 in both directions in the vicinity of Sylvania Avenue in Neptune. All lanes were closed and detoured, according to 511nj.org.
• KFC workers were also flood-stranded at Jersey Shore.
• Streets in the Silverton section of Toms River were underwater
• A tree has come down on Route 166 in Toms River, taking out a pair of power lines and knocking out power to as many as 500 customers, according to witnesses and the power company. Jersey Central Power & Light crews are on the scene, according to the First Energy power outages map, which says the outage is affecting between 150 and 500 customers.

Forecasters say the storms will continue throughout today, dropping at least 2 inches of rain in most areas, with more in areas hit by pockets of heavier showers.

The thunderstorms are expected to intensify this afternoon before the rain and thunder taper off around nightfall, the National Weather Service says.

The amount of rain is likely to lead to flooding in low-lying areas that flood easily, the National Weather Service warns. Use caution and don’t drive through flooded roads as the water is often deeper than it appears.