By: Richard L. Smith
Heavy rain that moved across North Jersey late Thursday night and into the early morning hours of Friday left pockets of flooding across parts of Newark and nearby Irvington, briefly creating hazardous travel conditions and prompting responses from local emergency crews and state troopers.
Emergency responders in Newark handled several flooding-related calls overnight as water quickly accumulated in areas known to experience drainage issues during heavy rain.
At approximately 2:30 a.m., Newark firefighters and police were dispatched to the intersection of Roanoke Avenue and Avenue P after reports of roadway flooding and a disabled vehicle in the intersection.
Fire crews reported the vehicle was stalled in standing water but was not submerged.
Police were requested to assist with traffic control as vehicles continued moving through the area.
Authorities have previously warned residents that the intersection is prone to flooding and is often included in advisories issued ahead of heavy rainfall events.
Earlier in the night, at about 1:50 a.m., firefighters responded to Wilson Avenue and Avenue L after reports of a vehicle stuck in rising water.
Upon arrival, crews located a disabled car surrounded by floodwater that was too deep to immediately access.
Additional personnel were requested to assist with the situation. No injuries were reported.
Flooding also created issues on one of the region’s busiest highways.
At approximately 12:31 a.m., New Jersey State Police responded to the northbound Garden State Parkway near milepost 139.1 after receiving reports of water covering portions of the roadway.
According to reports, State Troopers arriving at the scene temporarily closed the left and left-center lanes while crews monitored the flooding.
Authorities also reported the possibility of roadway damage beneath the standing water but said that could not be confirmed until the water receded. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
According to the National Weather Service, steady rainfall moved across the region late Thursday night into Friday morning, saturating already damp ground and causing water to collect in low-lying and flood-prone areas throughout parts of North Jersey. 
Forecasters say the unsettled pattern may continue through the day Friday, with additional showers possible across the Newark region.
Officials are reminding motorists to slow down and use caution when traveling during periods of heavy rain, particularly in areas known for poor drainage where water can quickly accumulate and create dangerous driving conditions.