River Drive closed due to flooding at Westervelt Place in Passaic, NJ.
© Tariq Zehawi/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Paterson, NJ) – A state of emergency remained in effect for Paterson as day turned to evening on Tuesday — over 24 hours removed from the heaviest rainfall, but as flood concerns persisted in New Jersey. Water rescues were still being made on Tuesday morning, and in one case a fire burned a home to the ground, as firefighter’s trucks were cut off from the scene. That happened in Lincoln Park around 6:30 AM. A fire boat responded and saved the home’s lone occupant, but the water pump on board couldn’t douse the flames and the home burned to the water line. It’s now considered a total loss.
In spots within Lodi, Denville, and Dover residents also dealt with flooding. Residents of Little Falls were warned the Passaic River was near its crest point around 2:00 PM, and some were told to evacuate. One of the biggest issues is the there is a reservoir further up the Passaic River, and as it fills, officials are forced to release more water — and that sends murky, muddy water into streets and other parts of active residential communities. As of earlier today, Jersey Central Light and Power reported thousands were still without power and those customers were being slowly brought back online as Tuesday progressed.
