Seton Hall Student Among 3 Missing In Passaic County

This story was updated at 8:47 p.m.

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Three people are still missing in the aftermath of the storm in Passaic County, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday.

Murphy announced the missing numbers as he gave an update to the storm's death toll, which has risen to 25, including a Passaic man.

"I am deeply saddened to report an additional two fatalities, bringing our total to 25 New Jerseyans who have lost their lives to this storm," said Murphy. "Our thoughts and prayers are with every family and community mourning a loved one."

A 70-year-old Passaic man is the known casualty, and, CBS reports, he died after floodwaters overcame the car he was in.

"They tried to do all they could to rescue this man," Passaic Mayor Hector Lora told NorthJersey.com, adding that rescue workers are still searching for two others.

Officials are also looking for a woman who went missing after being swept away by floodwaters in Woodland Park. She has been identified as Donna Lomagro, 56, of Little Falls.

A Seton Hall student is also among the missing from Passaic, and the college has asked for the public's help as a search remains underway.

Read more: Seton Hall Student Missing Amid Ida Flooding, Search Launched

Seton Hall President Joseph Nyre released the following statement on Friday, less than 48 hours after Tropical Storm Ida ravaged the state:

“Nidhi Rana is a first-year commuter student and is involved in our Division of Volunteer Efforts. She was possibly last seen with her friend, Ayush Rana, in her hometown of Passaic, an area particularly hard-hit by flooding. We are in contact with the City of Passaic police, who are conducting search and rescue operations for Nidhi and Ayush. We encourage anyone with information to contact the City of Passaic police department at (973) 365-3966.”

Nyre continued:

“Campus Ministry will be praying for Nidhi, Ayush, and their families today at our noon Mass in the University Chapel. Students can also contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at (973) 761-9500 for additional support. Campus Ministry is also available at (973) 761-9545. We will continue to keep you apprised. In the meantime, please join me in keeping Nidhi and Ayush in your prayers for their safe return.”

The Passaic River keeps rising in Paterson, and there are efforts underway from local residents to help other evacuate their homes.

Murphy was in Passaic last night, and met with Lora as well as other local officials. While there, NorthJersey.com reports, he told officials he had spoken to President Joe Biden, asking for aid.

He sent a letter to the president, formalizing that request.

I just requested a Major Disaster Declaration from @POTUS in response to Tropical Storm Ida.

This support will help us meet the urgent needs of our residents and businesses in the wake of this unprecedented disaster.

Hopeful for the swift consideration of this request. pic.twitter.com/5qBCg2lzmr
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) September 3, 2021

Flooding continues to be an issue in many parts of the county, as rivers rose and crested on Thursday night.

Video from Paterson shows an example of what that river flooding has caused.

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