Thunderstorms bring flash flooding to Central Jersey. Here's what we know
Among the communities hardest hit were North Plainfield, Piscataway, Watchung, Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, and Westfield.
Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency due to flooding around New Jersey.
'I am declaring a State of Emergency given flash flooding and high levels of rainfall in parts of the state,' the governor wrote in a post on X. 'Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay safe, New Jersey.'
News12 reported flooding on Route 22 through Somerset and Union counties and parts of the Garden State Parkway.
Route 22 westbound from Voeseller Avenue to Chimney Rock Road in Bridgewater was closed as of 7:45 p.m. and Route 206 was closed in both directions in Hillsborough because of flooding under the Norfolk Southern Bridge.
Warren and Watchung police instructed residents to shelter in place.
Franklin police reported multiple roads were flooded.
Facebook posts showed some cars floating on flooded Rahway streets.
In a Facebook post Metuchen Mayor Jonathan Busch said police closed several roads due to flooding and emergency officials will be taking motorists whose vehicles cannot be driven to the high school.
Between 1.5 and 2 inches of rain fell in an hour in the hardest hit areas east and south of Somerville, according to the Rutgers NJ Weather Network.
At this time no river flooding is anticipated.
This story is developing.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ storms bring flash flooding to Union, Middlesex, Somerset counties
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