Princeton Driver Evacuated After A 4-Hour Rescue Operation

PRINCETON, NJ – Several water rescues took place in Princeton Wednesday night, as drivers were stranded in their vehicles with floodwaters rising. Tropical storm Ida wreaked havoc across Mercer County Wednesday, with multiple roads flooded.

At 11:43 p.m. Princeton Police, Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad, and the fire department were dispatched to Rosedale Road near Johnson Park.

A 58-year-old Princeton resident was stranded in his car, as waters around continued to rise rapidly. Due to unsafe water levels and dangerous current, rescue efforts were unsuccessful, the Department of Emergency and Safety said.

A request was made for the New Jersey State Police aviation unit for assistance. At 4:08 a.m. the man was successfully hoisted into the helicopter and flown to Trenton Mercer Airport for evaluation, officials said. Lawrenceville Fire Co., Princeton Junction Fire Co., Hamilton Fire Dept., Trenton Fire Dept. and the Pennsauken FD High Water Truck aided in the rescue.

Around the time of this rescue, a second motorist was stranded with high rising waters on Rt. 206 in the area of Quaker Road. The person was identified as a 30-year-old Montgomery resident. The PPD, PFARS, and PFD responded. Swift moving water flooded the road and began to flood the motorist’s car, forcing the driver to escape onto the roof of the vehicle while emergency rescue efforts were made. The Trenton Fire Department responded with a ladder truck, which drove into the flooded roadway and extended its 100 ft ladder, which was used to rescue the motorist.

There were no injuries reported as a result of these incidents, officials said. Several roadways remain closed as a result of the storm.

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency across New Jersey Wednesday night as Ida spawned powerful tornadoes and significant flash flooding from south to north.

County Executive Brian M. Hughes has ordered that all Mercer County Offices and facilities be closed Thursday, Sept. 2 under the State of Emergency due to Ida. Employees other than essential personnel are not expected to report to work.

Residents living in Trenton City's low-lying areas were evacuated as the Delaware River was forecast to rise above the flood stage by Friday. The power grid was turned off in the area until Thursday morning. Residents were asked to seek shelter at the Joyce Killmer School.

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