Heavy rain sparks more flash flooding in New Jersey

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Dozens evacuated after flooding in Brick Township
Danielle Leigh has the latest on the flooding in Brick Township.

LITTLE FALLS, New Jersey (WABC) -- Nearly 8 inches of rain fell in Brick Township, New Jersey on Monday sparking more flash flooding and evacuations, while officials in Little Falls assessed the damage from Saturday's flooding that impacted hundreds of homes and businesses.

Brick Township, New Jersey reported almost two months of rain in a matter of hours as rescuers evacuated dozens of people as the flooding sparked a state of emergency.

The township urged citizens to stay off of the roads as more rain was expected.

Brick residents who were displaced are being assisted by the Red Cross at a clubhouse in the Green Briar community.

Drone footage released by police showed roads and homes under significant water.

Belmar reported more than six inches of rain during Monday's soaker.

In Neptune, a tree fell into a home during the heavy rain and winds Monday morning. Olive Street was closed after the incident because wires were taken down in the fall.

AccuWeather says rainfall rates of an inch per hour are possible with any of these showers and thunderstorms.

Authorities have already declared a state of emergency in Little Falls after flooding wreaked havoc on Saturday when 5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.

RELATED: What to do if you're returning to a flooded home

Officials said the flooding damaged hundreds of homes, dozens of businesses and hundreds of vehicles causing millions in losses. Forty-five people and dozens of pets were rescued during the flooding, officials said.

The township says at least 32 homes were left uninhabitable after the devastating storm.

Governor Phil Murphy met with township officials and toured the area late Monday afternoon.

"I promise you we're going to work together and find every available resource we can," said Murphy.

Families were trying to clean up as the rain continued to fall. Many have lost parts of their lives: appliances, photo albums, kids' toys and winter items stored in the basement that are now destroyed and coated in mud.

"We are devastated," Fran Richards said. "Everything in the basement flooded, cars floating, it's devastating."

Lucy Yang reports on the flood damage in Little Falls.

The rain was even heavy enough to flood a Route 46 car dealership, sending vehicles floating like small icebergs.

Video shows cars floating away in the flood waters in Little Falls, New Jersey.

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