N.J. FFs respond to water rescues during flooding

Lodi firefighters used a high-water rescue vehicle to reach at least 11 people trapped by flooding

January 10, 2024 03:41 PM

Emergency responders look for people trapped in their homes from the rising waters in Lodi. Heavy overnight rain caused Main Street in Lodi and surrounding neighborhoods to flood from the overflow of the Saddle River early in the morning on Wednesday January 10, 2024

By Jeff Goldman
nj.com

LODI, N.J. — Eleven people were rescued from two homes and a vehicle in Dover late Wednesday during flooding in the Morris County town.

Firefighters used a high-water rescue vehicle to remove six people from one home and four people from another on the 300 block of East Blackwell Street, Dover Fire Department Lt. Bryan Wagner said.

Both homes are very close to the Rockaway River, which spilled over its banks. One house had two small children inside.

Separately, a woman was pulled from a vehicle in the area of North Salem Street and Richards Avenue after she disregarded barriers placed on the road, Richards said. The woman drove onto a side street that wasn’t blocked off and soon found her vehicle trapped in water that rose to about 3 1/2 to 4 feet.

The rescues began around 11 p.m. and finished about midnight.

Flood waters have mostly receded and nearly all streets in Dover are safe for travel now, Wagner said.

The National Weather Service didn’t provide a rainfall total for Dover, but 3.01 inches fell in neighboring Mine Hill.