On July 14, 2025, New Jersey faced devastating flash floods as slow-moving thunderstorms dumped 4–7 inches of rain, prompting Governor Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency. The deluge caused widespread road closures, power outages, and stranded vehicles, impacting homes, businesses, and transit systems across the state. This SEO-optimized article for ClickUSANews.com delivers a detailed breakdown of the 2025 New Jersey flash floods, covering affected areas, impacts, safety tips, and recovery efforts as of July 15, 2025.

Overview of the 2025 New Jersey Flash Floods

Torrential rainfall from slow-moving storms, fueled by humid air and remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal, triggered flash flooding across New Jersey starting Monday evening, July 14, 2025. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flash flood warnings for 17 counties, with some areas seeing rain at 1–2 inches per hour. Governor Murphy’s emergency declaration mobilized state resources, urging residents to avoid flooded roads and stay safe. No fatalities were reported by early Tuesday, July 15, 2025, but disruptions were significant.

Affected Regions and Counties

The floods impacted northern, central, and southern New Jersey. Key affected areas include:

• Northern New Jersey:
  • Bergen County: Route 208 in Hawthorne closed due to flooding; Saddle River under flood watch until Tuesday afternoon.
  • Essex County: Newark, Elizabeth, and West Orange received 4.5–5.5 inches of rain, with warnings until 10 p.m. Monday.
  • Passaic County: Paterson faced severe flooding, with warnings until 8:15 p.m. Monday.
  • Hudson County: Secaucus reported flooding on Plaza Center Road and Meadowlands Parkway.
  • Union County: New Providence, Plainfield, and Scotch Plains saw dramatic rescues, with cars and buses stranded at Mountain and Park Avenues in Scotch Plains.
• Central New Jersey:
  • Middlesex County: Plainfield’s train station flooded, halting NJ Transit. Somerville and Franklin Park had warnings until 10:30 p.m.
  • Somerset County: Bound Brook recorded over 3 inches of rain by 7 p.m., with a shelter-in-place order issued.
  • Morris County: Morristown and Parsippany saw 2–4 inches of rain, with warnings until 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.
  • Hunterdon County: Flemington and nearby areas had warnings until 10:30 p.m. Monday.
• Southern New Jersey:
  • Burlington County: Mount Holly faced warnings until 11:45 p.m. Monday.
  • Cumberland County: Millville and Port Norris saw 2–5 inches of rain, with warnings until 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
  • Monmouth County: Coastal areas had warnings until 11:15 p.m. Monday.

Impacts of the Flash Floods

The intense rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems, leading to widespread disruptions:

• Transportation Disruptions:
  • Roads: Flooding closed the New Jersey Turnpike, Route 22, Interstate 280, and Route 23. A driver was rescued in Scotch Plains from a flooded intersection.
  • Public Transit: NJ Transit reported 30-minute bus delays and suspended rail lines, including the Raritan Valley Line, due to flooding at Plainfield’s station.
  • Airports: Newark Liberty International Airport issued ground stops, causing flight cancellations and delays.
• Power Outages:
  • Over 7,400 customers lost power, with PSE&G reporting 5,000 outages at 7 p.m., dropping to 4,271 by 10 p.m. Middlesex (1,450 outages) and Union (1,142 outages) counties were hit hardest.
• Rescues and Evacuations:
  • Emergency crews rescued residents in New Providence, Scotch Plains, and North Plainfield, evacuating 30 homes in Union County. A community center sheltered displaced residents.
  • Union County’s dispatch was overwhelmed, urging 911 calls only for emergencies.
• Property Damage:
  • Videos showed water flooding homes and submerging streets in Plainfield and Somerville. Cars floated in flooded areas, with damage assessments ongoing.

Weather Conditions and Causes

The floods resulted from:

• Slow-moving thunderstorms delivering 1–2 inches of rain per hour, totaling 4–7 inches in some areas.
• Saturated soil from prior storms, including Tropical Storm Chantal’s remnants, increasing flood risk.
• A stalled front and humid air, amplifying storm intensity, as noted by NWS meteorologist Joe Wegman.

Warnings extended into Tuesday, with southern New Jersey expecting additional rain.

Government and Emergency Response

• State of Emergency: Declared by Governor Murphy at 7:33 p.m. on July 14, mobilizing state resources and urging residents to stay off roads.
• Local Measures:
  • Somerset County issued a shelter-in-place order.
  • Plainfield canceled a city council meeting and closed roads.
  • Union County managed rescues and limited 911 calls to emergencies.
• NWS Alerts: Flash flood warnings covered most of New Jersey, targeting urban areas and small streams.

Safety Tips for Flash Floods

The NWS and NJ Office of Emergency Management advised:

• Avoid Floodwaters: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Six inches of water can sweep people off their feet; two feet can move vehicles.
• Seek Higher Ground: Residents in low-lying areas, especially basements, should prepare to evacuate.
• Utility Precautions: Check for gas leaks or electrical damage before re-entering homes. Keep power off until inspected.
• Stay Informed: Use NOAA radios or weather apps for real-time alerts.
• Avoid Driving: Flooded roads may have hidden damage.

Historical Context

New Jersey’s flooding history includes:

• Hurricane Floyd (1999): 8+ inches of rain flooded the Raritan Basin, affecting eight counties.
• Passaic Basin (1903): 12 days of flooding destroyed bridges and displaced 1,200 residents.
• Hurricane Ida (2021): Record rainfall caused 40+ deaths in the Northeast.
• Superstorm Sandy (2012): Damaged 325,000 homes, exposing coastal vulnerabilities.

These events highlight New Jersey’s flood-prone nature, with 16% of the state in floodplains.

Economic and Tourism Impact

The floods disrupted New Jersey’s economy:

• Tourism: Coastal areas like Atlantic City saw boardwalk closures and reduced beach access, impacting summer tourism.
• Businesses: Hotels and restaurants faced cancellations due to travel disruptions.
• Infrastructure: Road and transit damage will require costly repairs, with estimates pending.

Recovery Efforts

• Damage Assessments: State and local officials are evaluating impacts, with no completion timeline.
• Resources: NJFloodMapper.org offers flood maps for recovery planning.
• Resilience: Frequent extreme weather underscores the need for flood-resistant infrastructure.

Stay Informed

• Weather Updates: Check weather.gov for NWS alerts.
• Local News: Follow ClickUSANews.com for New Jersey updates.
• Social Media: X posts showed real-time flooding in Plainfield and Scotch Plains.

Conclusion

The July 14, 2025, flash floods brought chaos to New Jersey, with 4–7 inches of rain causing road closures, power outages, and rescues in counties like Union, Middlesex, and Essex. Governor Murphy’s state of emergency and NWS warnings highlighted the crisis, while recovery efforts are underway. Stay updated with ClickUSANews.com for the latest on New Jersey’s weather and recovery.

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