Flood — Warren, New Jersey

2004-09-18 to 2004-09-20 · Warren, New Jersey

Wider weather episode

The remnants of Hurricane Ivan interacting with a slowly moving cold front caused widespread very heavy rain to fall during the first half of the day on the 18th in Warren County. Storm totals average 3 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts throughout the county. The torrential rain caused widespread poor drainage, creek and river flooding. Runoff from the heavy rain also caused the worst flooding along the Delaware River since 1955. President George W. Bush declared the county a disaster area. Damage was estimated at twenty-eight million dollars.The Delaware River washed a home from Harmony Township (Warren County) downstream. The home crashed into the Easton-Phillipsburg Free Bridge. The impact sheared the roof from the home and the remainder floated under the bridge. In White Township officials condemned more than two dozen cottages as Delaware River flood waters broke windows and filled the homes with mud. The Delaware River at Tocks Island was above its 21 foot flood stage from 438 p.m. EDT on the 18th through 232 a.m. EDT on the 20th. It crested at 30.32 feet at 845 a.m. EDT. In Belvidere, the Delaware River was above its 22 foot flood stage from 1101 p.m. EDT on the 18th through 842 p.m. EDT on the 19th. It crested at 24.83 feet at 915 a.m. EDT on the 19th. Farther downstream, the Delaware River at the Easton-Phillipsburg Bridge was above its 22 foot flood stage from 331 p.m. EDT on the 18th through 1126 a.m. EDT on the 20th. It crested at 33.45 feet at 8 a.m. EDT on the 19th. Even farther downstream at Riegelsville, the Delaware River was above its 22 foot flood stage from 522 p.m. EDT on the 18th through 1025 a.m. EDT on the 20th. It crested at 30.95 feet at 1115 a.m. EDT on the 19th. Storm totals included 8.90 inches in Great Meadows, 6.32 inches in Belvidere, 5.27 inches in Blairstown, 4.70 inches in Phillipsburg and 3.93 inches in Stewartsville.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5426512. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.