Hospital ER Floods As Storms Drench NJ

Heavy rain resulted in flash floods that stranded vehicles, in once case trapping a mother and infant, and flooded the emergency room of a hospital on Monday as New Jersey got hit with another round of storms.

Thousands remained without power Monday evening from storms that hit the Garden State over the 4th of July weekend, and the deluge of rain — some areas received more than 3 inches in less than three hours — forced authorities to close a number of roads until the water subsided.

In Asbury Park, floodwaters trapped a woman and her infant in their car at Fifth Avenue and Memorial Drive, police there said.

Asbury Park Police Officer Richard Thomas waded through 2 feet of water to rescue the baby and mother, police said. Both were brought to safety with no injuries, police said.

In Neptune, photos posted by The Lakewood Scoop show water up to the middle of ambulance tires in the emergency room area of Jersey Shore University Medical Center, as well as flooding in other parts of the building.

"Earlier this afternoon, as a result of the severe storm, we experienced flooding in Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Level 1 Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and Pediatric and Adult Emergency Department lobby," officials at Hackensack Meridian Health said in a statement to Patch. "Patient care was not impacted and normal operations continue."

The hospital system said the "safety and well-being of our patients, guests, and team members remains our highest priority."

Wesley Lake in Asbury Park also overflowed its banks. The city received 5.45 inches of rain in the last 24 hours, including 3.45 inches in three hours Monday, the National Weather Service said.

• Read More: Wesley Lake In Asbury Park Floods Its Banks

In Ocean Township, the roof of BJ's Wholesale Club on Route 35 partially collapsed as the storm moved through. There were 27 people inside at the time, and two of them were briefly trapped but able to free themselves, authorities said.

According to Ocean Township Mayor John Napolitani, the roof hit a natural gas line that runs through the building as it collapsed, which resulted in power and gas service being cut off to the building.

• Read More: Roof Collapses At BJ's Wholesale Club In Monmouth County

In an online post, the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office urged all drivers to avoid Route 35 in Ocean Township due to severe flooding, adding that it's "too dangerous to travel."

Multiple roads were closed throughout other parts of Monmouth County as well, including:

Monmouth County Roads

• CR 12A, Navesink River Road, Middletown, between Route 35 and Hubbard Avenue due to an NJ American Water main break.
• CR 526, Allentown-Red Valley Road, Upper Freehold Township, between Galloping Brook Road and Sharon Station Road due to JCP&L tree, wire and pole repairs.
• CR 4, South Street, Holmdel, between Route 34 and County Route 520 due to JCP&L tree, wire and pole repairs.
• CR 21, Allenwood-Lakewood Road, Wall Township, between Brice Park and Metedeconk Road due to JCP&L tree, wire and pole repairs.

Marlboro Township

• The following areas are closed due to downed wires and damaged utility poles
  • Union Hill Road (between Menzel Lane & Willow Lane)
  • Willow Lane (between Union Hill Road & Rosen Drive)
  • Buckley Road (between Holland Drive & Inverness Drive)
  • Topanemus Road (between Heron Drive & Weathervane Circle)
  • School Road East (between Bella Vista Court & Country Club Lane)
  • Bartram Road (between Route 9 & Marlboro Plaza)

Wall Township

• "Numerous roadways" have become "impassable" according to police, though authorities have not specified which roads.
• Police are urging residents to stay home and avoid all unnecessary travel.
• For those already on the road, police advise them to slow down, use extreme caution, and never attempt to drive through flooded roadways.

Monmouth Beach

• Numerous roads in town are flooded and impassable due to heavy rain, though police did not specify which roads
• If your vehicle is parked on the side of the road, authorities are advising drivers to move it to higher grounds immediately as high tide is around 3:30 p.m. and rain is not anticipated to slow down until 5 p.m.

Neptune City

• Flash flood warning in effect until 3:15 p.m.
• "Significant flooding" throughout town. Police are advising drivers to avoid the roads.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated with a statement from Hackensack Meridian Health.