By: Richard L. Smith
Torrential rain brought dangerous flash flooding to parts of Bergen and Passaic counties Monday evening, leaving numerous vehicles stranded, prompting multiple water rescues, and flooding homes as strong thunderstorms moved through the region.
Officials said firefighters responding to dozens of flooding-related incidents in communities including New Milford, Teaneck, Hackensack, Wyckoff, Hawthorne, and Paterson.
In New Milford alone, firefighters responded to several reports of vehicles trapped in rising floodwaters, with occupants needing assistance.
Similar rescues were reported in Teaneck, where emergency crews requested high-water rescue vehicles, and in Paterson, where firefighters were dispatched with a rescue boat after a vehicle became stranded in floodwaters with people inside.
Hackensack also experienced significant flooding, with multiple vehicles disabled on flooded roadways, while in Wyckoff, emergency crews responded to a home after floodwaters poured into a basement.
Hawthorne officials reported responding to approximately 20 storm-related calls during the height of the flooding and rescuing about a dozen people from vehicles caught in rapidly rising water.
The heaviest impacts were reported in Bergen and Passaic counties, where roads quickly became impassable as intense rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems.
Residents should remain alert, as another round of showers and thunderstorms is expected to move into the region this evening.
Forecasters warn that additional heavy rainfall could lead to renewed flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and locations that experienced flooding Monday night.
Motorists are urged to avoid driving through flooded roadways. Just a small amount of moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road, and conditions can change rapidly during heavy downpours.