Heavy Rains Result In Flooded Streets, Stranded Cars

Torrential downpours caused localized flooding in many parts of Ocean County Saturday evening, causing some road closures and trapping at least a few cars that stalled in flooded streets.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning that set off alerts on smartphones between 8:30 and 9 p.m., warning of the severe risk of flooding. The warning remained in place through 1:15 a.m., according to a Nixle alert from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.

On Sunday, the rain is expected to clear out by about 10 a.m., which though the ground will be wet, should make for a mostly pleasant day for the 150th Anniversary Celebration in Manchester at Harry Wright Lake. It is set to begin at noon.

The most intense rain seemed to fall between 8 and 10:30 p.m., with the rain moving east through the area. Deep puddling and flooding occurred in the usual low-lying areas.

Intersections were bad as well. Many of them had water up to or over the curbs. Hooper Avenue near Cedar Grove Road had significant water just after turning north on Hooper from Route 37, providing an unpleasant surprise for motorists turning north on Hooper. In downtown Toms River, Irons Street and the Route 166 connector were closed to traffic turning south from Water Street shortly before 10 p.m. after two cars stalled in about a foot of water on the road.

In Seaside Heights, many corners at least a few inches of standing water and street flooding was leading to some street closures there as well.

The most intense rain slowed traffic to a crawl on Route 37, as the precipitation fell faster than windshield wipers could clear it, and reduced visibilty to less than 100 feet.

Reports from motorists who were out in Brick Township were much the same, with low-lying areas flooded and traffic slowing significantly.

In Berkeley and Beachwood, low-lying roads that usually flood in heavy rains were once again covered. Maryland Avenue and Northern Boulevard were nearly impassable in some spots, and portions of Pinewald Road were mostly covered by water.

By 11 p.m. the worst of the rain seemed to have passed, with just a drizzle falling on the cars sitting on Irons Street. Streets that were flooded should be clear by morning.

(A stalled car sits in flood water on Irons Street in Toms River, just before the intersection with the Route 166 connector. The road, which frequently floods, had nearly a foot of water Saturday night. Credit: Karen Wall)