Nearly 30 Cars Get Stuck In Toms River Flash Floods

Massive thunderstorms and flash flooding hit the Ocean County area with a vengeance Thursday afternoon, trapping motorists in their cars, and in some cases, flooding homes.

Twenty to 30 vehicles were stuck in Toms River, and many required high-water emergency vehicles to approach them and transport the occupants, police said.

>> RELATED: FLOODING ALERT: Multiple Cars Stuck As Rains Inundate Ocean County

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning this afternoon, with up to five inches of rain expected before the warning is lifted at 7:45 pm.

Multiple water rescues are reported in Toms River on some streets. Three inches of rain has already fallen with one or two more possible.

“God help everyone in toms river ryt now!!!” one woman wrote on the Ocean County Police, Fire & EMS Facebook page. “Never saw anything like this in 34 yrs!! Not even during sandy!!!

Locations that will experience flooding include Toms River, Beachwood, Dover Beaches North, Dover Beaches South, Seaside Heights, Mantoloking, Brick, Point Pleasant, Island Heights, Brielle, South Toms River, Bay Head and Gilford Park.

Toms River Police Department spokesman Ralph Stocco said the water should recede within an hour or two, once storm drains can handle the additional water volume.

“There is currently NO LIFE DANGER,” Stocco said in an e-mail to the media. ”Any rescues are very minor in nature and the water is not very deep. Mainly just cars becoming stuck. None are in water much above mid-door height.”

Roughly 20 to 30 vehicles were stuck in flood waters, he said.

Flash flooding has already affected roads in Bayville, including Northern Boulevard, which was reported to be nearly impassable.

Flash flooding has already affected roads in Bayville, including Northern Boulevard, which was reported to be nearly impassable. Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said sections of South Seaside Park and Bayview Avenue were flooded.

But in neighboring Lacey Township, Police Chief David A. Paprota reported few problems.

“There was very brief roadway flooding during the heavy rain, but it subsided quickly once the rain passed,” the chief said.