PATERSON, N.J. — A state of emergency takes effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday for a storm that’s set to bring heavy rain and flood risks to New Jersey, particularly along the Passaic River where residents are still reeling from last month’s flooding.
Gov. Phil Murphy issued the state of emergency for all 21 counties across the Garden State.
Mayors of Wayne, Pompton Lakes and Lincoln Park requested floodgates on Pompton Lakes Dam be opened ahead of the storm to prevent flooding downstream. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection denied the request, saying opening the dam would not prevent flooding in this case.
“Based on the science associated with storms like this, how the dams then behave, they feel the science is on the side of not doing that,” Murphy said about the decision Tuesday morning. “Doesn’t mean it’s going to be an easy road tonight and tomorrow morning, but the Environmental Protection team feels pretty strongly that’s the way to go, and we’re going to see.”
Preparing in Paterson
CBS New York’s Christina Fan reports from Patersonwhere the mayor is warning residents about the potentially dangerous conditions.
Families there are still exhausted from a storm three weeks ago that flooded homes, cars and businesses and shut down schools. Now, residents fear that may play out all over again.
Floodwaters destroyed most of an auto repair shop’s inventory, and workers are worried this storm system may sweep away what little they have left.
“That one, I was ready to send it to Miami. I lost everything,” one worker told Fan. “FEMA, nobody give you nothing. Right now, I’ve got my two hands and that’s it. It’s crazy.”
In anticipation of the storm, the mayor declared a citywide emergency also starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
“We are working with the fire department and police department to split their divisions to each side of the river, just in case it does flood that high,” Paterson Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Troy Ayers said. “Right now, we are looking at a crest of 9.3. Previous storm, it was 8.4. So we are preparing for the worst.”
Ayers said a flash flood warning will be issued at 2 p.m. and certain streets will be closed.
“We also will have a Red Cross-run shelter for the next five days, 24 hours a day at 60 Temple,” he added.
All too familiar in Little Falls
Officials worry the incoming system will exacerbate inclement conditions not just in Paterson but also in Little Falls.
Back in December, residents there had to use boats to float home after rainfall forced the Passaic River beyond its banks.
The mayor of Little Falls says his crews just finished cleaning up from that flood, and now they’re preparing again.
“The DPW has been clearing all of the catch basins to remove any blockages,” Little Falls Mayor James Damiano told CBS New York. “We’re hoping that the forecast is off a little bit.”
Meteorologists say, unfortunately, this is a high-confidence forecast, in part because of preexisting conditions. Rivers are already swollen, and a lot of the snowpack in northern New Jersey is expected to melt.
Long Island facing coastal flood concerns
Meanwhile on Long Island, residents are bracing for the rain and coastal flood concerns.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine issued a state of emergency Tuesday and urged people to use caution.
“I am issuing a State of Emergency for Suffolk County to ensure our residents are best prepared for the incoming severe weather,” he said in a statement. “While the height of the storm is anticipated to impact the County during the evening and overnight hours, I strongly advise our residents to avoid travel as heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts and potential flooding are all possible.”
Nassau County officials say crews will be clearing drains and will be ready with heavy duty pumps, if needed.
Utilities are also preparing for dangerous wind gusts that could take down trees and knock out power.
NYC issues travel advisory
The New York City Department of Emergency Management is warning of 2 to 3 inches of heavy rain, wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour and moderate coastal flooding.
Mayor Eric Adams activated the city’s flash flood emergency plan, and a travel advisory has been issued from Tuesday in Wednesday.
The MTA says empty tractor-trailers and tandem trucks will be banned at its bridges and tunnels starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Stick with our First Alert Weather team for the latest track of the rain. We’ll be on the air early Wednesday starting at 4 a.m.
