Four days of rain, heaviest on the 13th, culminated in major flooding in the Passaic and Raritan Basins and flooding throughout New Jersey. Four day storm totals averaged around 2.5 to 6  inches with the highest amounts in the Raritan and Passaic Basins. It was the worst flooding in the Raritan Basin since April of 2007 and the worst flooding in the Passaic Basin since April of 1984. Over 1000 people were evacuated in Morris and Somerset Counties. Damage was estimated at 30 million dollars as thousands of homes and businesses were damaged. In Morris County alone, about 1,300 homes and businesses  were damaged. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency on March 14th. Periods of rain started during the morning of the 12th and fell at its heaviest on the 13th. The heaviest rain fell during the morning in the southern third of the state, afternoon in the central part of the state and in the afternoon into the evening in the northern third of the state. Periods of lighter rain persisted into the 14th and 15th which slowed the recession of streams and rivers in the area..
The heavy rain was caused by a slow moving low pressure system that had a tremendous fetch of moist air from the Atlantic Ocean. The low pressure system moved from the South Carolina coast on the morning of the 12th, into Virginia on the morning of the 13th, to Delaware on the morning of the 14th and then drifted slowly east over the next two days as it was captured by an upper level system.
The flooding occurred on the weekend when eastern daylight time began. Some of the river flooding started on Eastern Standard Time and ended on Eastern Daylight Time, we apologize for any confusion this causes.

Flood in BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 17:45:00 to 19-MAR-10 05:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: PEMBERTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The North Branch of the Rancocas Creek at Pemberton was above its 2.5  foot flood stage from 545 p.m. EST on the 13th through 615 a.m. EDT on the 19th. It crested at 3.68 feet at 115 p.m. EDT on the 15th. Event precipitation totals included 4.16 inches at the McGuire Air Force Base, 3.86 inches in Medford, 3.84 inches in Moorestown and 3.06 inches in Mount Holly.

Flood in SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY
From 14-MAR-10 06:27:00 to 14-MAR-10 19:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: OGDENSBURG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The worst reported flooding in the county was along its eastern border. In Sparta Township, Lower Main Street was closed due to its undermining by flood waters. Edison Road in Ogdensburg was closed because of washouts. New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad suspended service because of the flooding. The Flat Brook at Flatbrookville was above its 6 foot flood stage from 727 a.m. EDT through 820 p.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 6.81 feet at 1230 p.m. EDT. Event precipitation totals were 3.89 inches in Andover, 2.94 inches in Sussex and 2.75 inches in Wantage.

Flood in MERCER, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 18:47:00 to 14-MAR-10 03:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: PRINCETON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

In Mercer County, Princeton Township was hit hard by both the wind and flooding. About 60 roadways were closed due to downed trees and/or flooding. Four roadways were still closed on the 15th.  In Princeton Borough, there were numerous basements that were flooded. Along the Delaware River, roadway flooding affected New Jersey State Route 29. The Assunpink Creek at Trenton was above its 8.5 foot flood stage from 647 p.m. EST on the 13th through 420 a.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 9.36 feet at 1030 p.m. EST on the 13th. The Stony Brook at Princeton was above its 10 foot flood stage from 1 a.m. EST through 337 a.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 10.12 feet at 3 a.m. EDT. Event precipitation totals included 4.31 inches in Hightstown, 4.27 inches in Washington Crossing, 4.09 inches in Ewing and 3.10 inches in Princeton.

Flood in HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 19:38:00 to 14-MAR-10 19:13:00 (EST-5)
Location: HIGH BRIDGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The South Branch of the Raritan River at High Bridge was above its 10 foot flood stage from 1238 a.m. EST through 1225 p.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 10.43 feet at 630 a.m. EDT. Farther downstream, the South Branch of the Raritan River at Stanton was above its 8 foot flood stage from 738 p.m. EST on the 13th through 813 p.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 10.57 feet at 130 a.m. EST on the 14th. Event precipitation totals were 5.29 inches in Flemington, 4.67 inches in Hamden, 4.42 inches in Wertsville and 4.04 inches in High Bridge.

Flood in SALEM, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 22:15:00 to 18-MAR-10 21:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORMA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Maurice River at Norma was above its 4 foot flood stage from 1015 p.m. EST on the 13th through 1015 p.m. EDT on the 18th. It crested at 5.17 feet at 930 p.m. EDT on the 15th.

Flood in WARREN, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 18:00:00 to 14-MAR-10 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HACKETTSTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

East Avenue along the Musconetcong River in Hackettstown was closed due to flooding. Event precipitation totals included 2.84 inches in Pequest, 2.72 inches in Blairstown, 2.67 inches in Belvidere and 2.50 inches in Phillipsburg.

Flood in ATLANTIC, NEW JERSEY
From 14-MAR-10 07:00:00 to 17-MAR-10 16:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: FOLSOM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

A few evacuations occurred in the Weymouth section of Hamilton Township along the Great Egg Harbor River. Numerous basements were also flooded. The Great Egg Harbor River at Folsom was above its 6 foot flood stage from 8 a.m. EDT on the 14th through 515 p.m. EDT on the 17th. It crested at 7.24 feet at 6 p.m. EDT on the 15th. Event precipitation totals included 5.06 inches in Hammonton, 5.03 inches in Estelle Manor, 4.15 inches in Mays Landing and 3.76 inches at the Atlantic City International Airport.

Flood in OCEAN, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 17:00:00 to 16-MAR-10 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PARKWAY PINES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The North Branch of the Metedeconk River at Lakewood was above its 7 foot flood stage from 500 p.m. EST on the 13th through Noon EDT on the 16th.  It crested at 8.49 feet at 115 a.m. EDT on the 14th. Event precipitation totals included 5.32 inches in Staffordville, 4.80 inches in Cedar Beach, 4.59 inches in South Toms River and 4.40 inches in Point Pleasant.

Heavy Rain in CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 01:00:00 to 13-MAR-10 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAPE MAY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Event precipitation totals included 4.55 inches in Woodbine, 4.23 inches in Seaville, 4.15 inches in Strathmere and 3.22 inches in Wildwood.

Flood in CUMBERLAND, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 22:15:00 to 18-MAR-10 21:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: VINELAND RUDYS ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Maurice River at Norma (Salem County) was above its 4 foot flood stage from 1015 p.m. EST on the 13th through 1015 p.m. EDT on the 18th. It crested at 5.17 feet at 930 p.m. EDT on the 15th. Event precipitation totals included 3.56 inches in Millville and 2.94 inches in Upper Deerfield.

Flood in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 18:27:00 to 14-MAR-10 17:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH PLAINFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

New Jersey State Route 18 was closed in New Brunswick along the Raritan River. The park by the river was flooded in Piscataway. Four roadways were closed in Plainsboro. Spring Lake flooded the Elks Lodge in South Plainfield. Damage was estimated at $100,000.  The Bound Brook at Middlesex (along the county line with Somerset County) was above its 9 foot flood stage from 627 p.m. EST on the 13th through 605 p.m. EDT on the 14th.  It crested at 13.15 feet at 430 a.m. EDT on the 14th. Event precipitation totals were 5.63 inches in South Brunswick, 5.25 inches in Metuchen and 5.14 inches in Piscataway.

Flood in MORRIS, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 15:30:00 to 21-MAR-10 19:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: STERLING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 15.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

In Morris County, this was the highest flooding along the Passaic and Pompton Rivers since April of 1984. Both rivers had crests within the top five. In Pequannock, about 300 people were evacuated and 1,000 homes were affected by the flood waters. Two shelters were opened. The A&P Shopping Center was under water. Boat rescues were performed along three blocks. Residents returned to their homes by the 19th. New Jersey State Route 23 was closed.  In Lincoln Park, about 260 residents were evacuated. Two Bridges Road and U.S. Route 206 to Wayne were still closed on the 17th. In Long Hill Township, eighteen roads were closed, several were still closed near the Passaic River on the 17th.  The central business districts and nearby residents were affected the hardest. Schools did not reopen until Wednesday the 17th.  In Boonton, a retaining wall collapsed onto Main Street. The Rockaway River flooded in Denville. Passaic River flooding forced the closure of a couple of roads in East Hanover. The heavy rain caused a breech in the dam at Lake Shawnee in Jefferson Township.
The Rockaway River above the Boonton Reservoir was above its 5 foot flood stage from 1018 p.m. EST on the 13th through 5 p.m. EDT on the 16th. It crested at 6.81 feet at 230 p.m. EDT on the 14th. This was the 3rd highest crest on record and the highest crest since April of 1984.  The Rockaway River below the Boonton Reservoir was above its 5 foot flood stage from 715 p.m. EST on the 13th through 1001 p.m. EDT on the 17th. It crested at 8.12 feet at 7 p.m. EDT on the 14th. This was the 4th highest crest on record and also the highest crest since April of 1984. The Pompton River at Pompton Plains was above its 16 foot flood stage from 920 p.m. EST on the 13th through 10 p.m. EDT on the 16th. It crested at 22.78 feet at 515 p.m. EDT on the 14th. This was the second highest crest on record only surpassed by April of 1984. The Pequannock River at Macopin was above its 5.5 foot flood stage from 330 p.m. EST on the 13th through 5 p.m. EDT on the 16th. It crested at 7.6 feet at 430 a.m. EDT on the 14th.
The Passaic River at Millington was above its 8 foot flood stage from 1005 p.m. EST on the 13th through 907 a.m. EDT on the 17th.  It crested at 9.38 feet at 330 a.m. EDT on the 15th. Farther downstream, the Passaic River at Chatham was above its 6 foot flood stage from 446 p.m. EST on the 13th through 6 p.m. EDT on the 19th. It crested at 7.91 feet at 715 a.m. EDT on the 15th. This was the 7th highest crest on record and the highest crest since September of 1975. Farther downstream, the Passaic River at Pine Brook was above its 19 foot flood stage from 7 a.m. EDT on the 14th through 830 p.m. EDT on the 21st. It crested at 22.32 feet at 915 a.m. EDT on the 16th. This tied April of 2007 as the 3rd highest crest on record.
The East Ditch at Beaver Brook Road was above its 3.9 foot flood stage from 1145 p.m. EST on the 13th through 554 a.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 4.3 feet at 550 a.m. EDT. The Whippany Creek at Morristown was above its 6 foot flood stage from 946 p.m. EST on the 13th through 1141 a.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 6.45 feet at 415 a.m. EDT on the 14th.
Event precipitation totals included 5.72 inches in New Vernon, 5.52 inches in Chatham and 3.95 inches in Boonton.

Flood in CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 10:52:00 to 14-MAR-10 03:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: HADDONFIELD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Cooper River at Haddonfield was above its 2.8 foot flood stage from 1052 a.m. EDT on the 13th through 450 a.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 3.58 feet at 715 p.m. EST on the 13th. Farther downstream, tidal sections of the Cooper River also flooded. The combination of the fresh water runoff and the onshore flow caused minor tidal flooding along the Delaware River and its tributaries from the afternoon high tide on the 13th through the early morning high tide on the 15th. The highest tides occurred on the afternoon of the 14th. The high tide in Philadelphia reached 9.09 feet above mean lower low water. This was barely below the level at which moderate tidal flooding begins (9.2 feet above mean lower low water). Event precipitation totals included 5.49 inches in Winslow, 4.63 inches in Somerdale and 4.11 inches in Pennsauken.

Flood in SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 12:03:00 to 17-MAR-10 02:22:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLADSTONE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 15.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

In Somerset County, Bound Brook, Manville and Green Brook were hardest hit by the heavy rain and flooding. There were 1,300 flood related emergency calls and 46 water rescues in the county.  In Bound Brook, about 600 residents were evacuated to the borough���s high school gym and a Presbyterian Church. Another shelter was opened at the Raritan Valley Community College. The Salvation Army served meals.  Businesses were flooded along Main Street and East Second Avenue also flooded.  The flooding affected six less blocks than it did in 2007. In Manville, 200 residents in the Lost Valley section and along Duke Parkway were evacuated. A shelter was opened at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall. The wall of one home collapsed.  About 165 homes were flooded. Flood damage for the most part was limited to basements and foundations. Damage was estimated at 2.5 million dollars. In Green Brook, a nursing home was evacuated. Roads and bridges were closed near the Green Brook. In Hillsborough Township, U.S. Route 206 was flooded at the Raritan River and cut the township off from the northern half of the county. The Van Veghten Bridge over the river was closed. In Montgomery Township, traffic on U.S. Route 206 was very heavy because it was the only roadway over the Millstone River that was open. In Rocky Hill Borough, County Route 518 was closed through the afternoon of the 14th because of flooding. Roads were also closed due to flooding in Bernards Township, Bedminster Township and Far Hills Borough.
The North Branch of the Raritan River at North Branch was above its 12.3 foot flood stage from 749 p.m. EST on the 13th through 1054 a.m. EDT on the 14th.  It crested at 16.44 feet at 330 a.m. EDT on the 14th.  Farther downstream, the North Branch of the Raritan River at Raritan was above its 10 foot flood stage from 912 p.m. EST on the 13th through 1257 p.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 13.9 feet at 415 a.m. EDT on the 14th, the highest crest since Hurricane Floyd in September of 1999. Farther downstream, the North Branch of the Raritan River at the village of South Branch was above its 7 foot flood stage from 426 p.m. EST on the 13th through 345 p.m. EDT on the 15th. It crested at 13.71 feet at 315 a.m. EDT on the 14th.
The Main Stem of the Raritan River at Manville was above its 14 foot flood stage from 944 p.m. EST on the 13th through 640 a.m. EDT on the 15th. It crested at 21.57 feet at 915 a.m. EDT on the 14th. It was the sixth highest crest on record and the highest since April of 2007. Farther downstream. the Raritan River at Bound Brook was above its 28 foot flood stage from 1102 p.m. EST on the 13th through 1130 a.m. EDT on the 15th. It crested at 36.04 feet at 1045 a.m. EDT on the 14th. It was the fourth highest crest on record and the highest since April of 2007.
The Millstone River at Griggstown was above its 10 foot flood stage from 1203 p.m. EST on the 13th through 332 a.m. EDT on the 17th. It crested at 18.62 feet at 645 a.m. EDT on the 14th. Farther downstream, the Millstone River at Blackwells Mills was above its 9 foot flood stage from 729 p.m. EST on the 13th through 706 a.m. EDT on the 16th. It crested at 16.15 feet at 1030 a.m. EDT on the 14th, the 5th highest crest on record and the highest crest since April of 2007. Farther downstream, the Millstone River at Weston  was above its 12.4 foot flood stage from 1154 p.m. EST on the 13th through 757 a.m. EDT on the 15th. It crested at 17.83 feet at 1030 a.m. EDT on the 14th.
The Pike Run at Belle Mead was above its 7 foot flood stage from 504 p.m. EST on the 13th through 317 a.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 9.02 feet at 945 p.m. EST on the 13th. The Bound Brook at Middlesex (along the county line with Middlesex County) was above its 9 foot flood stage from 627 p.m. EST on the 13th through 605 p.m. EDT on the 14th.  It crested at 13.15 feet at 430 a.m. EDT on the 14th. The Stony Brook at Watchung was above its 14.5 foot flood stage from 835 p.m. EST through 1119 p.m. EST on the 13th. It crested at 14.8 feet at 1045 p.m. EST.
Event precipitation totals included 5.62 inches in Montgomery, 5.41 inches in Bridgewater, 5.13 inches in Hillsborough and 4.94 inches in Somerville.

Heavy Rain in MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 11:00:00 to 13-MAR-10 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MANASQUAN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Event precipitation totals included 5.11 inches in Freehold, 5.08 inches in Adelphia, 4.90 inches in Cream Ridge and 3.38 inches in Manasquan.

Flood in GLOUCESTER, NEW JERSEY
From 13-MAR-10 18:18:00 to 14-MAR-10 03:39:00 (EST-5)
Location: MULLICA HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Raccoon Creek at Swedesboro was above its 13 foot flood stage from 618 p.m. EST on the 13th through 439 a.m. EDT on the 14th. It crested at 13.92 feet at 1030 p.m. EST on the 13th. Event precipitation totals included 4.49 inches in Franklinville and 4.02 inches in West Deptford.