Flash Flood — Mercer, New Jersey

1996-06-12 to 1996-06-13 · near Western, Mercer, New Jersey

Wider weather episode

Nearly stationary thunderstorms dropped between 3.5 and 7.6 inches of rain within four hours in western Mercer County. This caused widespread flash flooding throughout the area. Nearly every roadway was flooded. The 7.6 inches of rain represents about a daily one hundred year storm. No one was killed or seriously injured, but about 8 million dollars in property damage occurred, most of it in Ewing. One bridge was washed out. Over 100 homes, 10 apartment buildings and numerous businesses suffered flood damage. The county was declared a major disaster area.In Ewing, the Shabakunk Creek was the major culprit. It made an island out of Fleetwood Village and flooded over 100 homes. Hundreds of residents had to be evacuated by boats, jet skis and front end loaders. The Parkway Diner nearly collapsed. The western part of Trenton was also flooded. About 40 families were displaced at the Brookfield Gardens Apartment. Four roadways near the Assunpink Creek were closed due to flooding. The Assunpink Creek in Trenton crested at 11.7 feet at 445 a.m. EDT on the 13th. Storm totals included 7.6 inches in Lawrenceville, 7.1 inches in Lawrenceville and Ewing, 6.63 inches in Ewingville, 3.84 inches in Washington's Crossing and 3.5 inches in Downtown Trenton.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5567094. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.