Powerful storms, deluge of rain bring flooding, toppled trees and power outages in New Jersey
NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- A several days-long deluge of rain, dangerous winds and severe weather has brought widespread damage to New Jersey, including flooding, downed trees, power outages and major disruptions to NJ Transit.
In one of the most extreme cases of weather damage, a roof partially collapsed at a BJ's Wholesale Club in Monmouth County on Monday morning.
The roof collapsed under the weight of the excessive rain and sent water and debris pouring into the store. It was the result of the flash flooding that hit South Jersey.
Further north, a state of emergency has been declared in Paramus, where straight line winds whipped through Saturday, dropping massive trees throughout the town.
One homeowner is dealing with her neighbor's tree that fell across her backyard.
"It's about 50 feet tall by 30 to 50 feet wide. Fell on my house. So, it's... it ruined my deck, and now there's a hole in my roof," the homeowner said.
Homeowners without power and already dealing with damage are worried about more rain.
"I got a gentleman on Sunday that cleared off that roof that I had to put tarp because of all this rain. I don't want to get, you know, leaks in my house," said storm victim Anthony Parna.
The flash flooding left portions of Asbury Park under water, and the same could be said for Neptune, where streets were were completely flooded Monday afternoon, and homeowners complained of clogged storm drains.
"The girl was scared that the water was coming to the steps. If he hadn't cleaned these drains out over here, these streets would still be flooded," said Neptune resident Patricia Wims.
Neptune officials said more than 25 people were rescued during the height of the storm. They say that about 100 residences and 25 businesses were impacted, along with both pump stations on Laird Avenue.
In a video statement on Monday, Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the state is working around the clock to respond to the severe weather.
"We're not through it yet. More heavy rainfall is expected tonight and flooding remains a real concern. Please monitor your local forecast, charge your devices, and never drive through flooded roadways," Sherrill said.
On Friday in Scotch Plains, 41-year-old Jared Hirschowitz was killed when a large tree limb crashed onto his moving vehicle on Raritan Road near Quimby Lane.
A 40-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat was treated at the scene before being taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
NJ Transit still facing major disruptions
Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms, in the area since Friday, were still impacting NJ Transit service on Monday.
Here are the latest updates:
North Jersey Coast Line rail service is operating on or close to schedule in both directions between Long Branch and Bay Head stations following earlier weather-related signal issues.
Due to ongoing repairs following this weekend's storms, Gladstone Branch service remains suspended through the end of the day Monday. All other rail service will operate on a regular weekday schedule. NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes are being cross honored by NJ TRANSIT and private carrier buses and PATH at Hoboken Terminal, Newark Penn Station, and 33rd Street, New York.
NJ TRANSIT repairs along the Gladstone Branch rail line have been completed. Gladstone service is expected to resume on a regular weekday schedule, Tuesday, July 7, contingent on JCP&L completing necessary repairs to their infrastructure, expected to be completed by the end of the service day, Monday, July 6.
Morris and Essex line rail service will operate on a modified weekday schedule between Morristown and Penn Station New York/Hoboken Terminal on Tuesday, July 7.
Montclair-Boonton line rail service will operate on a modified weekday schedule on Tuesday, July 7.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
