Heavy rain and flash flooding swept through New Jersey on Monday, leaving two people dead, roads underwater and rescue crews scrambling to reach stranded motorists.
Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency late Monday as storms impacted much of the state, dumping more than six inches of rain in some areas. Parts of Central Jersey, including Plainfield and North Plainfield, were among the hardest hit, with streets turned into rivers and major highways forced to shut down.
I am declaring a State of Emergency given flash flooding and high levels of rainfall in parts of the state. Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay safe, New Jersey.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@govmurphy.bsky.social) July 14, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Two people died in Plainfield after their car was swept into Cedar Brook at the height of the storm, local officials said. Their names have not yet been released. This comes after two other North Plainfield residents died during storms earlier this month. May Adrian Mapp called the situation “unimaginable.”
In Scotch Plains, emergency workers pulled a trapped driver from rising water at an intersection where two buses were also stranded. Similar scenes played out across North Jersey, where firefighters in Hackensack rescued drivers caught in sudden floods.
Rainfall totals varied widely across the state, with less than an inch reported in some towns and more than six inches in other towns such as Clark and Westfield. In North Plainfield, where nearly six inches fell, an overnight blast destroyed a house but caused no injuries.
Videos shared online showed submerged cars on highways including Route 22, which remained closed Tuesday in North Plainfield. NJ Transit reported service delays on the North Jersey Coast Line due to weather-related wire problems, though most other rail service continued with minor disruptions.
The storm system was fueled by a surge of tropical moisture moving up the East Coast, adding to what has already been a deadly summer of flash flooding across the country. Climate experts warn that warmer air is allowing storms to drop heavier bursts of rain, raising the risk of severe floods.
Forecasters say more rain is possible through midweek, though not as widespread or intense. Flood watches remain in effect for parts of the Mid-Atlantic as communities begin to clean up.
@ml_buckley Extreme flash flooding in New Jersey. NJ Governor Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency throughout the garden state. We are seeing very severe flooding, and ponding on the roads and highways. #nj #newjersey #flashflood #flood #floods #flooded #storm #stateofemergency ♬ original sound – Mary-Lyn Buckley
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.