Liputan6.com, Jakarta On Thursday, July 31, 2025, New Jersey and much of the Tri-State area were hit by severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, triggering flash flooding.
These extreme weather conditions caused significant disruptions to public life and infrastructure.
In response to this emergency, Vice Governor of New Jersey, Tahesha Way, officially declared a state of emergency in all 21 counties of New Jersey.
This declaration became effective at 2:00 PM EDT that same day.
This swift action was taken to mobilize emergency resources and ensure the safety of residents amid the threat of flash flooding, thunderstorms, and high winds.
Governor Phil Murphy also warned residents via social media to remain vigilant and avoid non-essential travel.
Emergency Declaration and Rapid Response
The declaration of a state of emergency in New Jersey on July 31, 2025, issued under Executive Order No. 394, demonstrated the government's seriousness in addressing the threat of flash flooding.
This decision allowed for the early closure of state offices and facilitated the deployment of emergency resources across the state for disaster response.
Vice Governor Tahesha Way emphasized the importance of vigilance for all New Jerseyans.
She urged the public to adhere to established safety protocols and monitor official information channels.
This is crucial for receiving updates during the storm.
Governor Phil Murphy also echoed a similar warning via his Twitter account.
He anticipated severe storms across the state, with a flood warning in effect until the following morning.
Residents were urged to plan their travels accordingly and avoid public roads whenever possible.
The Threat of Extreme Rainfall and Its Impacts
The forecast for heavy rainfall is a major concern in this New Jersey flash flooding incident.
Generally, affected areas are expected to receive between 1 and 3 inches of rain.
However, some isolated locations could potentially experience much more extreme rainfall, reaching 5 to 7 inches.
These extreme weather conditions have serious impacts on the environment and infrastructure.
The potential for landslides and rockfalls poses a real threat in some areas.
Furthermore, severe flooding on roads can impede mobility and endanger motorists.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for northern New Jersey, southern New York, Long Island, and Connecticut.
This warning is in effect until Thursday evening, signaling a high risk of flooding.
Regional Impacts and Most Vulnerable Areas
All 21 counties in New Jersey are on high alert for flash flooding.
Some of the most severely affected counties include Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union, Middlesex, and Monmouth.
Northern counties like Union and Somerset were significantly impacted by the storm.
Concern is heightened in Plainfield and North Plainfield, given that these areas were hit by a storm just three weeks earlier.
The previous incident caused flooding on Somerset Road in North Plainfield.
In Green Brook, many residents are still recovering from the deadly storm that struck two weeks earlier.
The storm claimed two lives and caused widespread damage.
This situation is putting additional pressure on communities already struggling to recover.
Transportation Disruptions and Power Outages
The impact of flash flooding spread, disrupting transportation and power supplies throughout the Tri-State Area.
Many roads turned into rivers, making it difficult for vehicles to pass.
Subway stations were also flooded, halting operations.
This situation left many cars stranded in floodwaters and paralyzed public transportation.
A Long Island Railroad train in New York City even had to be evacuated due to flooded tracks, demonstrating the scale of the disruption.
In New York City, the Clearview Expressway in Queens was forced to close in both directions due to flooding, as seen in images on social media.
Additionally, more than 14,000 people in New Jersey experienced power outages on Thursday night, adding to the storm's impacts.
Flood Risk Mapping in New Jersey
A national analysis conducted by LawnStarter, using data from FEMA, highlights New Jersey's vulnerability to flooding.
Ten New Jersey counties are listed as the most flood-prone counties in the United States, demonstrating the geographic challenges the state faces.
Counties identified as high-risk zones include Bergen, Ocean, Cape May, Atlantic, Monmouth, and Middlesex.
Additionally, Cumberland, Union, Burlington, and Salem also fall into this category.
Many of these counties have geographic characteristics that increase their risk of flooding.
Most of these high-risk areas border coastlines or major waterways.
This geographic location makes them highly vulnerable to rising water levels, especially during severe storms and extreme weather events like the New Jersey flash floods.