Flood — Sussex, New Jersey

2005-04-02 to 2005-04-05 · Sussex, New Jersey

Wider weather episode

For the second time within seven months a greater than 50-year storm affected the Delaware River Basin and its tributaries. But, this time flooding also extended into the Passaic River Basin. In all, about 6,000 persons were evacuated along the Delaware and Passaic River Basins in New Jersey with about 3,200 homes damaged. New Jersey Acting Governor Richard J. Codey declared a state of emergency on April 3rd. Many homes and businesses that were flooded because of the remnants of Hurricane Ivan along the Delaware River, were flooded again. The crests along the Delaware River were even higher than in September 2004 and were the highest crests since 1955. In many places, it was the second or third highest crest on record for the Delaware River. In Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Mercer and Morris Counties, about 1,800 homes and businesses were flooded, 25 homes were destroyed. Many of the homes and businesses that were flooded, had flooding into the first floor of their dwellings. About 4,000 people were evacuated from the five counties. Shelters were opened in schools, fire houses and churches. Both the Red Cross and Salvation Army assisted with the evacuations and distributing food and drinks. Many major roads were closed. A dozen low-lying bridges from Trenton north were closed and damaged by the flooding. Total statewide damage from this storm was estimated at $52 million dollars. The worst damage was reported in Lambertville (Hunterdon County) and Trenton (Mercer County). Miraculously there were no deaths or major injuries. Residents and businesses found raw sewage that backed into water-logged cellars. Many furnaces, water heaters, electrical panels, washing machines and dryers were destroyed. In many places, everything that was stored below ground level was destroyed. The flood waters dislodged propane and oil tanks. Some basements were contaminated with oil. First floor damage included ruined hardwood floors, furniture, carpeting, vinyl flooring and dry walls. The homes that were greatly affected had their electricity and gas service turned off and in many instances had to get the former replaced. Private wells had to be tested for contamination. The heavy rain loosened the ground and caused trees to be knocked down and carried down river along with waste receptacles, propane tanks and beer kegs. As river levels rose, they damaged the low-lying bridges across the Delaware River. Damage to the bridges was estimated at $1.5 million with the greatest damage and longest closure to the Washington Crossing Bridge between Bucks and Mercer Counties. On April 19th, President George W. Bush declared a major disaster area in Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties. This opened the door for federal aid for homeowners and businesses. Persons could get grants for temporary housing and to clean and rebuild their homes. Homeowners and businesses were now eligible for low interest loans to cover uninsured property losses and other federally funded programs.In Sussex County, rain began falling around Midnight EST on the 2nd and fell heavy at times during the afternoon and early evening. Lighter rain and/or drizzle fell through the rest of the night and ended during the morning of the 3rd. Storm totals averaged three to four inches. The hardest hit townships were Montague and Sandyston Townships along the Delaware River. Two homes in each township were destroyed. All inhabitants of Mashipacong Island in Montague Township were evacuated. Other residents along the Delaware River were also evacuated in Montague and Sandyston Townships. The Dingman's Ferry Bridge between Layton (Sandyston Township) and Pike County was closed. Flooding problems also occurred in Byram, Hardyston and Stillwater Townships. A voluntary evacuation was suggested for residents in Hardyston and Franklin Townships after the Summit Lake Dam was found to be leaking. The dam did not fail. Numerous basements were flooded in Newton and Lubbers Run flooded in Byram Township. Numerous roads throughout the county were closed. In addition to the destroyed homes, four homes in the county suffered major damage while 62 other suffered minor damage.The Delaware River at Montague crested at 31.69 feet on the 3rd, the third highest crest on record and the highest crest since August 19, 1955. Farther downstream, the Delaware River at Tocks Island (Warren County) crested at 33.24 feet at 10 p.m. EDT on the 3rd, the second highest on record since August 19, 1955. The river was above its 21 foot flood stage from 1202 a.m. EST on the 3rd through 435 a.m. EDT on the 5th. Specific storm totals included 4.12 inches in Wantage, 3.70 inches in Andover, 3.21 inches in Newton and 2.66 inches in Sussex. The Flat Brook at Flatbrookville was above its 7 foot flood stage from 925 p.m. EST on the 2nd through 440 p.m. EDT on the 3rd. It crested at 7.27 feet at 615 a.m. EDT on the 3rd.The flooding heavy rain was caused by a low pressure system that moved from the southern Gulf Coast States on the morning of April 1st northeast to the eastern Tennessee Valley during the evening of the 1st, to far western Virginia just after Midnight EST on the 2nd, into central Virginia at 7 a.m. EST on the 2nd, near Washington, D.C. at 1 p.m. EST on the 2nd, near Lancaster, Pennsylvania at 7 p.m. EST on the 2nd, near Scranton, Pennsylvania at 1 a.m. EST on the 3rd, over the Finger Lakes in New York at 8 a.m. EDT on the 3rd and into eastern Lake Ontario at 2 p.m. EDT on the 3rd. The strong southeast flow preceding the low pressure system was able to entrain Atlantic Ocean moisture in addition to the Gulf of Mexico moisture into the system. The southeast flow also was ideal for orographic lifting in the Poconos and other higher terrain. The flooding was exacerbated by the already wet soil conditions due to heavy rain on both March 23rd and 28th. In addition, along the Delaware River, snowmelt in the upper basin in New York State and because the New York City Delaware County, New York reservoirs were already at capacity added to the flooding.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5449417. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.