Tropical Storm Henri dropped nearly ten inches on parts of New Jersey – but only 5½ on Livingston – as it swept through the state late Saturday, August 21, and all day Sunday, August 22.
Although by Sunday night it had weakened to a tropical depression, Henri spurred a few last rainfalls, some heavy, into Monday afternoon.
The storm dumped record amounts of rain in a short amount of time overnight, triggering in low-lying areas floodwaters that continued to rise Monday morning. Middlesex County saw significant flooding and damage, with more than 150 people needing to be rescued by boat in the town of Helmetta alone. Oakland in Bergen County received the most rain, 9.22 inches.
Closer to home, significant flooding in Newark resulted in multiple vehicles submerged in flooded areas, mainly in the Ironbound section of the city and the industrial areas of the South and East Wards. Newark firefighters rescued 59 adults and 16 children in seven incidents, and Newark Police rescued 11 people in four incidents.
In comparison, Livingston got off lightly. According to Chris Southworth, acting superintendent of Public Works, the township got a total of 5½ inches of rain.
Although thousands of power outages occurred throughout the state, there were none reported in Livingston.
Some tree branches came down in the storm, Southworth reported. A large tree limb at 88 Fellswood Drive came down on two homes. Fortunately, the tree-sized limb fell in between 88 and 90 Fellswood, reducing potential damage. The limb took down electrical service wires. Firefighters secured the scene and notified Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G).
Flooding occurred on Broadlawn Drive and Royal Avenue, areas that, Southworth said, regularly experience flooding during heavy rain.
Department of Public Works employees alleviated the flooding on Broadlawn by opening that street’s control gate. The chain link gateway opens to allow debris carried on flood waters to pass through so as to avoid back-ups.
The Fire Department assisted five homeowners who had water in their basements as a result of the storm.
On Sunday, fire officials went to 36 Burnet Street, where the sump pump had stopped working, and to13 North Cedar Parkway. They also went to 71 Eastbrook Terrace, where the homeowner reported water leaking into a basement electrical panel.
The following day, firefighters used the Department’s pump to remove water from flooded basements at 47 Springbrook Road, 70 Glendale Avenue, and 29 West Cedar Street.
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