Passaic River By Chatham Could Reach ‘Minor Flood Stage’

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham is under a Flash Flood Watch through Thursday, with Ida’s remnants moving through the area, hydrographs from the National Weather Service as well as United States Geological Survey cameras already showing the rush of the Passaic River.

The National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service showed as of Wednesday morning, the Passaic River had not reached the “Flood Stage” of six feet but heading into late Wednesday and early Thursday, the river is expected to exceed that.

According to observations, rains from Ida could bring the river to a minor flood level by 11 p.m. on Wednesday night and it may rise higher overnight and up to 6.7 feet on Thursday, potentially remaining at 6.8 feet through Saturday. Click here for details about the Passaic River hydrology by Chatham, which could impact particular roads by the Passaic River.

The USGS offers a time-lapse view here of the Passaic River by Chatham, from cameras stationed by the river, as well as recently captured still images.

As Ida churns through Chatham, there could be heavy rains, thunderstorms and rainfall of more than four inches as potential impacts, before sunny skies are predicted to return on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Streams, creeks, poor drainage areas as well as “moderate to major flooding is possible along some main stem rivers and roads,” the National Weather Service reports, along with the potential that roads and “structures near these rivers may be flooded.”

Chatham Borough posted some “flood facts” from New Jersey’s Office of Emergency Management on Wednesday morning, with an infographic warning residents of the problems that surging waters can cause to people, as well as their vehicles.

Tips with dealing with floods from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management include:

• Not to drive, walk or swim through flooded areas, with six inches having the potential to sweep away a person and a foot of water, the ability to move a car.
• People need to stay away from bridges when water is moving swiftly underneath them.

For residents or businesses who experience a power outage or hazardous situations because of this storm, they can contact JCP&L at 1-888-544-4877 (1-888-LIGHTSS) or click here.

For JCP&L’s current outage details, click here.

For National Weather Service forecasts and updates for Chatham, click here.

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