Flood — Bergen, New Jersey

2005-04-02 to 2005-04-04 · Bergen, New Jersey

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system developed in the Gulf Of Mexico and rapidly intensified as it moved north to northeast. The low passed over the Appalachian Mountains and moved slowly west of the local area during Saturday and Sunday, April 2nd and 3rd. Widespread heavy rain along with embedded heavy showers and thunderstorms occurred with this system. Storm Total Rainfall amounts ranged from 1.50 to 3.25 inches. During March 28th and 29th, only 3 to 5 days earlier, another low dumped 1.50 to 3.00 inches of rain across the region as it moved north to northeast along the eastern seaboard. These wet antecedent conditions primed the local area for additional widespread flooding with 3 to 6 inches of rain occurring in less than 5 days.Heavy rain caused widespread urban flooding. Most small streams and rivers overflowed their banks. In addition, high wind gusts from 46 to 57 mph, associated with heavier showers, downed many trees.Based on newspaper clippings and quotes from the NJ State Office of Emergency Management, the floods along the Passaic and Delaware Rivers, forced nearly 6000 residents from their homes and caused $60 million in damages; $52.5 million to private property and $7.5 million to public property. The flooding affected more than 3000 single-family homes and another 140 apartments and businesses.The Saddle River at Lodi reached its' flood stage of 6.0 feet at 8:45 pm on April 2nd. It crested at 6.56 feet at 1:45 am on April 3rd, then receded below flood stage at 5:45 am.The Ramapo River at Mahwah reached its' flood stage of 8.0 feet at 6:45 pm on April 2nd. It crested at 9.87 feet at 9 am on April 3rd, then receded below its' flood stage at 8 am on April 4th. Major flooding occurred along Route 202. Glen Gray Road was completely flooded and Bear Swamp Road was partially flooded.The Ho-Ho-Kus Brook reached its' flood stage of 3.0 at 5:00 pm on April 2nd. It crested briefly at 3.15 feet at 9 pm, then receded below its' flood stage at 11:00 pm on April 2nd.Here are selected rainfall amounts for:Passaic County - from 2.01 inches at Wayne to 3.77 inches at Greenwood Lake.Bergen County - from 1.35 inches at Woodridge to 3.25 inches at Rutherford. At Teterboro Airport, 1.81 inches was measured.Essex County - from 1.40 inches at Newark Airport to 2.35 inches at Montclair.Hudson County - from 1.78 inches at Harrison to 2.84 inches at West New York.Union County - from 1.50 inches at Roselle to 2.23 inches at Canoe Brook.Here are selected peak wind gusts for:Passaic County - 32 mph at Hawthorne on April 2nd at 4:08 pm.Bergen County - from 50 mph at Woodridge and Bergenfield to 68 mph at North Arlington on April 2nd around 7:30 pm. At Teterboro Airport, a 54 mph peak wind gust was measured at 8:26 pm. Spotters reported numerous trees downed in North Arlington. Other spotter reports included a downed tree and pole on Terrace Ave. near Madison Ave. in Hasbrouck Heights. Power lines were downed on Masonicus Road and East Cresent Ave. in Mahwah. Large branches and a few trees were downed throughout the Borough of Wood Ridge.Essex County - 52 mph at Newark Airport on April 2nd at 7:30 pm. Spotters reported a tree down in Belleville and Nutley.Hudson County - from 44 mph at Kearny on April 2nd at 7:12 pm to 53 mph at Jersey City on April 3rd at 5:00 am. Spotters reported roof damage in Jersey City and a large tree fell onto a house in Harrison.Union County - 37 mph at Elizabeth on April 2nd.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5443441. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.