By: Richard L. Smith
Heavy rain swept across parts of North Jersey Thursday afternoon, flooding streets in Newark and Elizabeth, stranding vehicles and creating hazardous conditions for motorists.
In Newark, significant flooding developed around McCarter Highway and Clay Street, a section of the city that has experienced flooding during previous heavy rain events.
Water quickly covered portions of the busy roadway, leaving several vehicles stuck. Emergency crews responded and reported that occupants were able to get out of their vehicles.
The force of the flooding also displaced several manhole covers, adding another danger for drivers traveling through the area.
Elizabeth was also hit hard as heavy rain overwhelmed several streets within a short period.
Emergency crews responded to Westfield Avenue and Grove Street, where two occupied vehicles became stuck in floodwater.
Three more occupied vehicles were reported trapped near Fay Avenue and South Elmora Avenue.
On Spring Street, crews responded to another flooded vehicle that reportedly had two children inside.
Conditions became especially serious near Catherine Street and Magnolia Avenue, where five vehicles were reported in high water. 
Responders initially could not determine whether the submerged vehicles were occupied, but a later check confirmed that no one was inside.
Flooding was also reported near Cherry Street and Orchard Street, where responders encountered water described as approximately waist-high.
The National Weather Service had warned that thunderstorms moving through the region were capable of producing intense rainfall and flash flooding across portions of northeastern New Jersey.
As of Thursday evening, the rain threat had not completely ended. Forecasters said additional showers and thunderstorms remained possible before conditions gradually improved later in the night. Newark and Elizabeth both had a high chance of additional rainfall Thursday evening.
Motorists should continue to avoid flooded streets.
Even when water appears passable, its depth can be difficult to determine, and displaced manhole covers or other hazards may be hidden beneath the surface.