100+ Rescued From Wayne Flooding, Some Unable To Return Home Yet

WAYNE, NJ — Some Wayne residents will have to stay with family or in a hotel over the Christmas holiday, as flood waters are still covering local roads and neighborhoods.

Mayor Christopher Vergano said that first responders have helped more than 100 people evacuate from their homes, and also 17 pets, since Sunday night's storm caused the Passaic River to rise and begin flooding Wayne Township and other local communities.

"There are people that are not going to be in their homes for Christmas," he said.

Wayne officials signed an emergency declaration on Monday, and set up a mobile command center on Ryerson Road to serve as the hub for first responders and for relaying information. First responders have also rescued 25 people from their vehicles in the water, the mayor said during a Township Council meeting on Wednesday.

"A lot of cars have been lost, and now we move into the next phase, which is cleanup and repair," Vergano added, and urged people to observe public safety warnings about evacuations and road closures.

Route 46 reopened in both directions near Willowbrook Road on Thursday morning, though several roads in Ward 1 remain closed. Wayne Township Police have also updated this traffic map with flooding closures.

Police said the American Red Cross will provide clean-up kits for residents at the Wayne Township Office of Emergency Management building from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Red Cross and the County of Passaic opened an evacuation shelter at the Little Falls Civic Center (19 Warren Street) for anyone in the county affected by the floods.

Related article:

• Route 46 Reopens, Other Roads Remain Flooded In Wayne: Latest Info