Flash Flood Traps Shoppers In Hoboken Lot: It Happened That Fast

HOBOKEN, NJ — It happened that fast.

Within a half hour, a supermarket parking lot on Hoboken's west side — an area notorious for flooding — was surrounded by foul-smelling water due to a downpour from Tropical Storm Elsa, making it impossible to leave on foot without traipsing through at least a foot of dark liquid. (See photo progression below.)

A mom with a toddler in a stroller, talking to her husband on the phone, jokingly said he didn't believe her.

A man arrived at the ShopRite barefoot, saying he thought his sandals might be somewhere on the previous corner.

While trapped shoppers took the matter in stride, flash floods have proved fatal to drivers and people near even small streams. One writer published a memoir of how her 12-year-old son, playing near a stream swollen by rain, lost his life. Other examples abound of parents and children being trapped in a submerged car.

The city of Hoboken warned in an alert Thursday night, "Flooded intersections contain rainwater and raw sewage and should not be crossed by pedestrians, cyclists or motor vehicles."

They noted that the storm would bring more rain, and "Tropical storm force winds will likely arrive around 4 a.m. on Friday, July 9 and last through 10 a.m."

The National Weather Service had issued a flash flood watch for North Jersey from Thursday at 9:38 a.m. through Friday at noon. They then issued an emergency alert for flash floods at 6 p.m. — but Hoboken shoppers were already trapped. See the photos below.

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How It Happened

At 4:52 p.m., at the corner of 10th and Madison Streets near the Hoboken ShopRite, there was very little flooding, at first...

By 5:07 p.m., things at the same corner had changed. These photos were taken from 5:07 to 5:30 p.m.:

He said he lost his sandals at the previous corner.

When shoppers tried to leave on the other two sides of the parking lot, the situation was the same:

Fourth '50-Year Storm' In Hoboken In 12 Months

In May, state and local officials kicked off the first phase of the $230 million federal anti-flooding project in Hoboken, Rebuild By Design. READ MORE: Gov. Murphy Kicks Off First Step In Hoboken Anti-Flooding Program

Thursday's storm arrived a week after the city of Hoboken and Hudson County Office of Emergency Management warned residents of a flash flooding threat in the area last Thursday and Friday. The subsequent storm flooded streets. The mayor said it was another "50-year storm." READ MORE: Friday's Flooding Was Another 50-Year Storm

Last July, Hoboken suffered two "50-year storms" in the span of a few months, meaning they should theoretically only have happened once every 50 years. However, the probabilities have changed recently, as severe storms are becoming more frequent.

In fact, the current Hurricane Elsa is the earliest E-named storm in modern weather history.

On Thursday night after 8 p.m., the city gave an update, saying, "Tropical Storm Elsa is moving through the tri-state area tonight through Friday afternoon. Intense rainfall has caused flooding in low-lying areas. The H1 and H5 pump stations and resiliency parks are functioning properly and actively working to discharge water. Based on current information from NOAA and the National Weather Service, residents can expect the following forecast for the next 12 to 18 hours. Heavy rains will likely result in rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches. Tropical storm force winds will likely arrive around 4 a.m. on Friday, July 9 and last through 10 a.m."

Storm Guidance

The city of Hoboken had issued guidance Thursday morning about Tropical Storm Elsa (see the track with this National Hurricane Center map), which brought heavy rains starting around 3 p.m.

Here is the forecast:

The National Weather Service said this about North Jersey:

"Showers and thunderstorms through this evening will bring periods of heavy rainfall. 1 to 2 inches of rain with locally higher amounts are possible. Thereafter, heavy rainfall ahead of tropical system Elsa will move into portions of the Tri-State area late tonight, with periods of heavy rainfall possible through Friday morning. Total rainfall from this morning through
Friday is expected to range mostly 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts possible.

Thursday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 72. West wind 8 to 11 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 3 pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 87. North wind 8 to 11 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Friday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a slight chance of showers between 9pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 5 to 7 mph.

Thursday's Advisory From The City Of Hoboken

Please be advised that the National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook as Tropical Storm Elsa approaches the tristate area Thursday night through Friday afternoon. Heavy rain and strong to severe thunderstorms are expected along with damaging wind gusts. Any intense rainfall of greater than 0.8 inch per hour may result in flash flooding in low-lying areas.

Secure Loose Objects

Residents should secure all furniture and loose objects outside or bring them inside, especially on balconies. Outdoor tents should be taken down depending on wind load.

Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, resulting in power outages. Please report power outages and downed wires to PSEG at https://nj.myaccount.pseg.com/....

Do not park in or drive through flood prone areas

Due to the likelihood of flooding in some areas, the Office of Emergency Management is taking precautions by putting no parking signs (“No Parking Signs” in these areas should be taken as advisories, cars will not be towed) or barricades near flood prone intersections. Please do not drive around barricades.

These intersections include:

• 1st and Marshall
• 1st and Harrison
• 2nd and Harrison
• 3rd and Harrison
• 4th and Harrison
• 4th and Monroe
• 3rd and Jackson
• 4th and Jackson
• 9th and Monroe
• 9th and Madison
• 10th and Madison
• 1st and Clinton
• 3rd and Clinton
• Henderson and Newark
• Grove and Newark

Please report flooded intersections and clogged drain inlets by calling the NHSA Hotline at 866.689.3970.

Discounted Garage Parking

Residents are encouraged to move their cars from flood prone areas. Due to the predicted storm, a special rate of $5 per 24 hour period is being offered in Garages B (28 2nd Street) and D (215 Hudson Street) to residents with a valid Resident On-Street Parking Permit or Temporary Parking Permit, beginning at 5 pm on Thursday, July 8 through 5 pm Saturday, July 10. In addition, Hoboken residents with disabilities who possess either a handicapped license plate or hang tag for their permitted vehicle may also park in the Midtown garage (371 4th Street) for the same reduced rate. Garage space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Regular rates apply at other times. Residents who have a valid Resident On-Street Parking Permit or Temporary Parking Permit are reminded that overnight parking (6pm to 8am) is available at a rate of $5.00 in Garages B, D and Midtown every day of the year.

Limit Travel

If you do not have to travel, stay home and do not drive. If you must travel, use mass transit.

Street Cleaning suspended on Friday

Street cleaning enforcement will be suspended on Friday, July 9. Meters and all other parking rules and regulations will also remain in effect.

Emergency Operations Center in Effect

The Emergency Operations Center will be operational beginning Thursday, July 8 at 5 PM with volunteers from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Residents can call the CERT Hotline at 201-420-5621. For emergencies, please call the Hoboken Police Department at 201-420-2100.

Be Hoboken Ready

Residents are encouraged to prepare for Tropical Storm Elsa by reviewing the Hoboken Ready website and flyer available in in English and Spanish.

Please monitor local forecasts for additional advisories, watches, and warnings. Residents are encouraged to monitor the City’s Twitter (twitter.com/cityofhoboken) and Facebook (facebook.com/hoboken) or sign up to receive email or text updates by visiting www.hobokennj.gov/alerts.

Learn how Hoboken and NHSA prepare for, respond to, and recover from intense rainfall storms. Learn about Hoboken’s efforts to mitigate rainfall flooding.

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