Flood — Hunterdon, New Jersey

2005-04-02 to 2005-04-05 · Hunterdon, 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.Hunterdon County was the hardest hit of all of the New Jersey counties with Lambertville Borough the hardest hit municipality. The rain began falling around Midnight EST on the 2nd and fell heavy at times from the middle of the morning into the 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 inches. About 1,100 people were evacuated from every municipality along the Delaware River except for West Amwell Township. Tributaries to the Delaware River also flooded. Inland, flooding also occurred along the branches of the Raritan River. Five homes were destroyed, about one hundred forty-five homes and businesses suffered major damage and about another five hundred homes and businesses suffered some damage. Lambertville, Frenchtown, Stockton and Milford Boroughs were affected the most by the flooding along the Delaware River. In Lambertville, the Delaware River merged with the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Swan Creek also flooded. Flood waters ripped through the first floor of the Justice Complex and ruined some court records. About 200 homes were damaged as first floor flooding occurred. South Union Street and Lambert Lane were hit the hardest. In Frenchtown Borough about 50 homes suffered substantial damage as did the borough's post office. It was expected to be closed for one to two months. The sewage treatment plant was also damaged. Four hundred feet of River Road was washed away. New Jersey State Route 29 between Frenchtown and Lambertville was closed. In Stockton, the locks in the canal at Prallsville Mills broke and sent Delaware River water into the borough. Five homes on Mill Street were condemned as the water blew out some back doors. Fifteen to twenty families had to wait for repairs before returning to their homes. In Alexandria Township, mudslides tore down trees and wires. In Kingwood Township, sheds were ripped from their foundations. Docks and canoes floated downstream. The Musconetcong River also flooded along the Hunterdon and Warren County border. In the Delaware River itself, flooding at the Treasure Island Boy Scout Camp forced the closure of the facility for the year. Electrical transformers and interior buildings were ruined. Many of the free bridges across the Delaware River were closed on the third and did not re-open until the 6th. In downtown Clinton, flooding along the South Branch of the Raritan River flooded the Hunterdon Museum of Art. The Delaware River at Riegelsville (Bucks County) crested at 34.07 feet at 6 a.m. EDT on the 4th. This was also the third highest crest on record and the highest crest since August 20, 1955. It was above its 22 foot flood stage from 1201 a.m. EDT on the 3rd through 1141 a.m. EDT on the 5th. The Delaware River at Frenchtown was above its 16 foot flood stage from 8 a.m. EDT on the 3rd through 636 a.m. EDT on the 5th. It crested at 21.8 feet at 8 a.m. EDT on the 4th. This was the fourth highest crest on record and the highest since August 20, 1955. The Delaware River at Stockton was above its 18 foot flood stage from 3 a.m. EDT on the 3rd through 645 a.m. EDT on the 5th. It crested at 26.75 feet at 11 a.m. EDT on the 4th. This was the second highest crest on record and the highest since August 20, 1955. The Delaware River at the New Hope/Lambertville Bridge was above its 13 foot flood stage from 846 a.m. EDT on the 3rd through 814 a.m. EDT on the 5th. It crested at 19.6 feet at 11 a.m. EDT on the 4th. This was the third highest crest on record and the highest since August 20, 1955. The South Branch of the Raritan River at High Bridge was above its 10 foot flood stage from 718 p.m. EST on the 2nd through 907 a.m. EDT on the 3rd. It crested at 10.71 feet at 315 a.m. EDT on the 3rd. Farther downstream, the South Branch of the Raritan at Stockton was above its 8 foot flood stage from 6 p.m. EST on the 2nd through 357 p.m. EDT on the 3rd. It crested at 10.10 feet at 11 p.m. EST on the 2nd. Specific storm totals included 3.92 inches in Califon, 3.62 inches in Flemington, 3.26 inches in Milford and 2.20 inches in East Amwell Township. 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.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.1500, -74.7833)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5449420. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.