NEWARK, N.J. — Shocking new video footage has surfaced showing flash flooding last week transforming sections of the New Jersey Turnpike into a virtual river, with water rapidly submerging vehicles and stranding drivers in dramatic scenes.
The severe weather event occurred during intense downpours that swept across the state, dumping several inches of rain in just hours. In multiple clips filmed by motorists, entire lanes of the Turnpike appeared submerged, with cars partially underwater and traffic at a complete standstill.
Emergency crews were dispatched across multiple counties to conduct rescues, assist stranded motorists, and divert traffic away from severely impacted zones. The heaviest flooding was reported in low-lying areas between exits 13 and 15 in northern New Jersey, where drainage systems were overwhelmed.
No fatalities were reported, but several drivers required assistance to escape their vehicles. In some cases, water levels rose to the hoods of sedans within minutes.
The New Jersey State Police confirmed numerous closures and delays along both the inner and outer roadways due to flooding conditions, with sections of the Turnpike reopened only after several hours of pumping and cleanup.
The National Weather Service had issued flood warnings throughout the day, but the speed and volume of rainfall caught many drivers off guard.