Tropical Depression Ida Causes Flooding In Wayne, Passaic County

This story was updated at 10:51 p.m.

WAYNE, NJ — Tropical Depression Ida hit North Jersey on Wednesday, and Wayne officials urged residents in flood prone areas to be proactive.

Heavy rains caused flooding, and the police department reported downed wires and downed trees, along with innumerable road closures as the night wore on.

Around 10 p.m., the department announced that "manhole covers are emerging from the area of 157 French Hill Road." Shortly after, police reported that flooding was so bad in the area of Greenwood and Sherman that several vehicles were stuck.

The National Weather Service predicted 3 to 6 inches of rain in North Jersey, with West Milford most affected at 6.24 inches. Forecasts for the Paramus area call for 5.73 inches of rain, while the agency expects Morristown to get 5.81 inches.

Flooding from the heavy rains was predicted early in the day, and by nightfall roads were already closed in the township.

Traffic Advisory: Hamburg closed Westbound Hinchman to valley due to flooding https://t.co/njengJyC8X
— Wayne Police Department (@WaynePoliceNJ) September" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/WaynePolic... 2, 2021

According to the National Weather Service New York office, Wednesday's storm was the first time they had ever had to issue a flash flood emergency. Those were issued for parts of Connecticut and New York City, but the first was issued in North Jersey, the NWS said.

In Wayne, officials have warned that flash flooding could happen, as well as "major river flooding overnight and through the next few days."

Flooding affected Wayne recently during Tropical Storm Henri, and officials, perhaps with the memory of that still at the front of their mind, are urging residents of flood prone areas to make evacuation preparations.

"Make plans to evacuate to relatives, friends, hotels or other locations out of the flood area. Move vehicles to higher ground today," officials said.

In nearby Paterson, video footage posted to Twitter by Moshe Schwartz of Yeshiva World News showed serious flooding on one road in the city. Others have similarly captured footage of the flooding.

Numerous instances of flash flooding are "likely" through predawn Thursday, especially since the ground remains saturated from previous heavy storms, according to the National Weather Service. If rainfall predictions hold accurate, flooding is likely along susceptible rivers, creeks and streams.

Gov. Phil Murphy warned that many communities are still waterlogged from last week's storms, heightening the risk of flash flooding. "If you are out and come across high waters, do not go into them," Murphy said. "Turn around, don't drown."

Read more: Ida In North Jersey: Majority Of State Under Tornado Watch

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