2 Drivers Rescued From Roadway Flooding In Avenel Saturday

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Firefighters rescued the drivers of two cars from the flooded Leesville Avenue underpass Saturday in the Avenel section of Woodbridge, said Cory Spillar, the Avenel fire inspector and this area's councilman.

The first car became stuck in floodwater Saturday afternoon. In that rescue, Colonia firefighters responded as well, and crews were able to safely remove one person from the car and bring them to dry land.

Then, firefighters were called back to the same underpass for a second rescue later Saturday evening.

In that instance, the person was out of their car and sitting on the car's roof when firefighters got there.

"As round two of the storm hit the Avenel area, we were once again dispatched out to the Leesville Avenue underpass for a car submerged in the flood waters with an occupant sitting on the roof," said the fire department.

That person was also successfully saved.

The Leesville Avenue underpass often floods, said Spillar.

Earlier that same day, at about 1 p.m. Saturday, the Post Road Inn motel on Rt. 1 north was stuck by lightning, which ignited a fire on the roof of the building. Avenel firefighters also responded to that.

Don't drive through flooded roadways, said firefighters.

"The water may not seem that deep to you, but trust us, the water is usually deep and can stall your car out in seconds causing your car to flood and potentially trap you inside," said the fire department.