By: Tracie Carter
A round of powerful thunderstorms that swept through New Jersey Friday evening caused significant flooding in several North Jersey communities, leaving motorists trapped in vehicles and prompting emergency water-rescue operations.
In Bergen County, emergency crews responded to the area of Hudson Street and Vreeland Avenue in Hackensack shortly before 7 p.m. after an occupied vehicle became stranded in floodwaters.
Initial reports indicated that two people were inside the vehicle as conditions deteriorated.
Hackensack Fire Department Special Operations personnel were called to the scene to assist.
Flooding also created a dangerous situation in Paterson, where a vehicle carrying two adults and a baby became trapped in high water near East 25th Street and 11th Avenue.
The extent of any injuries in either incident was not immediately available.
Conditions became particularly hazardous in Hawthorne, where flooding along Route 208 required firefighters to rescue multiple people. The highway was reportedly shut down in both directions while emergency crews handled the incidents.
The storms also produced dangerous lightning farther south in Monmouth County.
Emergency crews responded to 17 Avenue of Two Rivers in Rumson after receiving a report that a house had been struck by lightning.
Units were later reported clearing the scene. No serious injuries were immediately reported in the preliminary information.
The incidents occurred as thunderstorms brought periods of torrential rain and lightning across portions of the state Friday evening.
Motorists are reminded never to attempt to drive through flooded roadways, as water depth can be difficult to determine and vehicles can quickly become disabled or swept away.