Flooding of NJ's Passaic River wreaking havoc in Paterson, Wayne, Little Falls
PATERSON, N.J. - Severe flooding continues to wreak havoc in parts of northern New Jersey following Monday's storm, with forcing residents to evacuate their homes, schools to close and detours on major thruways.
Many residents in Little Falls remain unable to return home days after officials issued an evacuation order. Officials in Wanye declared a state of emergency, and Paterson students won't go back to school until 2024.
Water is receding but flooding continues along the Passaic River in Morris, Passaic and Essex counties. According to the National Weather Service, the river crested more than 10 feet Wednesday morning.
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Road closures
- US Route 46: Eastbound West of Willowbrook Mall in Wayne has reopened.
- I-280: Both directions Exit 1W in Parsippany-Troy Hills has reopened.
- NJ Route 20: All lanes are closed in Paterson due to flooding.
Paterson
Paterson City School District announced that all schools will be closed for the week due to flooding. Students will return to class after the winter break ends in 2024.
Crews in Paterson were conducting rescue operations as patrols urge residents to stay off the flooded roadway.
SkyFOX captured emergency responders escorting people out of a home on Memorial Drive Wednesday morning.
Little Falls evacuations
Crews in Little Falls also conducted rescues for the second day in a row. FOX 5 NY captured footage of families with young children to safety.
Not only are residents worried about flooding, but the water is now freezing over.
"We just kept seeing it, rise, rise, and rise. It became scary," a Little Falls resident said.
Those who live in Passaic County are trying to pick up the pieces from Monday's storm. The only problem is, they are still underwater.
First responders in Little Falls initiated emergency rescues for the second day in a row.
The town is currently under a evacuation order with floodwaters still rising.
Little Falls resident, Jeanette Martinez decided to stay behind and said it's a mistake she won't make twice.
Wayne flooding
In Wayne, parking lots look more like ponds.
"Roads are blocked off," Wayne resident Latoya Marchesini said. Marchesini has been using his boat as a temporary water taxi.
"I was stuck here, so I really couldn't go to work," he said.
Many New Jersey residents said the rain is growing far more frequent and intense.
"There are 100-year storms twice within five years," a Wayne resident said.
The swampy streets are putting businesses like Laminate Beauty Bar in limbo at the height of the holiday rush.
"A lot of people have been calling to see if we are open because it's Christmas week," an employee said.
