Flood — Warren, New Jersey

2006-06-27 to 2006-06-30 · near Millbrook, Warren, New Jersey

Wider weather episode

Several days of heavy rain throughout the Delaware River Basin culminated with major flooding along the Delaware River from the 28th through the 30th. It was the second to fourth highest crest on record for the Delaware River along Warren County. The crest was slightly lower than the April 2005 flood in Belivdere and Phillipsburg, but the second highest on record (since 1955) at Tocks Island. President George W. Bush declared Warren County a disaster area. Sporadic periods of heavy rain started on the 23rd, but the most widespread and heaviest rain fell from the night of the 27th into the morning of the 28th. Event totals in Warren County averaged three to eight inches, but storm totals exceeded ten inches in parts of the Upper Delaware Basin in New York State.Governor Jon Corzine declared a state of emergency from the 28th through the 30th. Approximately 1250 homes and businesses in the state were damaged, four were destroyed. Many homes had their basement appliances and furniture ruined. The disaster area declaration made individual and public assistance possible. The entire state of New Jersey was also available for assistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Between Mercer and Sussex Counties ten Delaware River bridges operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission were closed. Tolls were suspended on bridges that remained open to ease congestion on the 28th through the 30th. Four bridges were still closed the night of the 29th, three bridges were closed on July 1st, they all were re-opened on the 2nd. Emergency responders told people to not walk into flooded waters because it might contain sewage and other contaminants. Many homes also had oil in their basements from ruptured tanks. There was also concern about persons with individual wells having their drinking water compromised. An explosion of mold and mosquitoes was expected in the wake of the flood. Crops closest to the ground were also impacted by the flood and included cabbage, cucumbers, strawberries, spinach and squash. In Warren County, about 400 homes, businesses and apartments were affected by the flooding and 1300 persons were evacuated from seven riverside municipalities. Three homes and one business were destroyed. Nearly 200 homes suffered major damage. A shelter was opened in Phillipsburg where up to 900 persons were evacuated. In the borough, about a dozen roads were closed and 14 streets near the Delaware River were evacuated. Evacuations also occurred in Belvidere, Harmony, Knowlton, Pohatcong and White Townships. Harmony Township though suffered the worst property damage as one home was literally lifted off its foundation. In Belvidere, water from the Delaware River backed up the Pequest River, which also flooded in the borough. Flood waters reached into the first floor of some homes. The water treatment plant in Hackettstown was closed because of the flooding. Major U.S. Route 46 was closed from exit four of Interstate 80 in Knowlton Township to its intersection with County Route 519 in White Township. Beaches at the Delaware River Water Gap National Recreational Area were closed for three weeks. The Delaware River at Tocks Island was above its 21 foot flood stage from 906 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 1043 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 33.87 feet at 915 a.m. EDT on the 29th, the second highest crest on record. Farther downstream at Belvidere, the Delaware River was above its 22 foot flood stage from 1145 a.m. EDT on the 28th through 303 a.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 27.16 feet at 1130 a.m. EDT on the 29th, the fourth highest crest on record. Farther downstream at Phillipsburg, the Delaware River was above its 22 foot flood stage from 830 p.m. EDT on the 27th through 703 p.m. EDT on the 30th. It crested at 37.09 feet at 1215 p.m. EDT on the 29th, the fourth highest crest on record. Actual storm rainfall totals included: 6.50 inches in Columbia, 5.66 inches in Phillipsburg/Easton and 3.10 inches in Belvidere.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5518469. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.