Flooding strands New Jersey drivers and homeowners
BELLMAWR, N.J. -- Heavy downpours caused drivers to become stranded on highways, people and pets to be rescued from their homes, mass transit service to be shut down, and roofs to collapse throughout New Jersey Thursday morning.
Just before 7 a.m., all lanes of I-295 in Bellmawr, New Jersey reopened after flooding caused vehicles to be stuck for hours.
The water stretched across both northbound and southbound lanes. Drivers stopped - some were stuck in the water, while others just had nowhere else to go.
"It went up to my calves when I walked out of my car and that was not even the deepest part closer to the median of the highway. I saw the one police officer walk through and it was up to his knees," said Brian Nederostek who was stuck on a flooded roadway.
In some areas a mandatory evacuated was called and rescue crews responded.
The fire department took boats around the high floodwaters to rescue the trapped residents and their pets.
One rescuers said the deepest waters reached approximately five feet.
A homeowner told Action News he just bought a newly remodeled home last year. Now, the basement was flooded.
"In my 30 years living here I've never seen it this bad," one Westville resident said.
In Vincentown, Burlington County, homes on the Lenape Trail near the Rancocas Creek had to be evacuated.
There were no reports of injuries.
Drivers still made their way around, plowing through the flooded roadway, which is not recommended.
PATCO has suspended a majority of its service in New Jersey, all trains between Lindenwold and Broadway in Camden, for the entire morning rush. PATCO said there is storm damage at several New Jersey stations and track areas.
Heavy rain also caused on roof to collapse. Employees who were inside a store said the force of the collapse broke the pipes of the sprinkler system causing water to go everywhere.
The workers were able to get out safely.
A Flash Food Watch remains in effect for the entire region through late Thursday night.
