Passaic River crests, sending more water into flood-ravaged Paterson, New Jersey
PATERSON, N.J. -- Some areas are still dealing with issues from this week's rain and flooding, particularly along rivers that are still rising.
Early Wednesday morning, trucks could be seen rescuing people from homes along the Passaic River in Paterson.
Chopper 2 came across a flooded out bridge connected to a small island in the river. Water was overflowing across the bridge between Mulberry Street and West Broadway.
Firefighters also rescued a driver who got stuck in floodwaters on the corner of Bridge and Tyler streets.
Chopper 2 FlyingChopper 2 is checking out stories and traffic around the area, including flooding conditions in parts of New Jersey. Watch more on CBS News New York: https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/live/
Posted by CBS New York on Wednesday, December 20, 2023
As day turned to dusk on Tuesday, families dreadfully watched as the river rose and then crested, wreaking a second round of havoc on an already waterlogged town.
"I said, 'Hey, listen, I need her out. I need her out. It's not safe, and it's only going to get worse from here. You see down there? All the cars are drowning,'" a resident named Michelle said.
Near East Main Street, CBS New York found older sister Michelle in a panic Tuesday afternoon, watching as first responders in a 5-ton truck gingerly navigated the floodwaters to rescue her 14-year-old sister stranded at home. The two reunited with a hug.
"I'm so thankful to everyone who just helped her," Michelle said.
Watch Christina Fan's report
Paterson declared a state of emergency following Sunday's coastal storm and that order remained in place Tuesday as firefighters rushed around town, evacuating a man who needed dialysis and checking on a Bergen Street home where the electrical system was sparking.
"That's another reason why you have to declare a state of emergency, just so that police and fire can get to these individuals in a timely fashion," Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said.
"Don't try to fight the floods. If you can leave, if you have somewhere else to go, for the time being, definitely take that route. You aren't just dealing with water once it gets in the basement, and you have electric and gas that are compromised," Battalion Chief Santino Falcone said.
On Presidential Boulevard, workers with RT Used Auto Parts scrambled to move their inventory to higher ground. Overflow from the Passaic forced them to turn away customers the last two days. Then on Tuesday afternoon, the water levels threatened to rise even higher.
"It's something to worry about, yeah, because right now it's not getting inside the cars, but there is water in the yard," said Mike Gonzalez of RT Used Auto Parts.
Watch Jenna DeAngelis' report
CBS New York's Jenna DeAngelis met Julio Cesar as he was finally returning home Tuesday night.
"I've been out because it's just terrible. You don't know if you're gonna get flooded," he said.
He woke up to water taking over his street, so he quickly moved his car and stayed away most of the day.
"I have to get used to this life. I never lived around flooded areas," Cesar said.
He's fairly new here, but flooding isn't, especially for those who live near the Passaic River.
Into the night, the river continued to rise with water covering and closing many streets.
While city leaders expect it to start to recede Wednesday, they continue to urge extreme caution.
"We had a whole host of issues relative to cars being stuck and accidents, as well," Sayegh said.
"I know people try to drive through and think that their cars are gonna make it. It just, it puts everybody in a bad position, especially the rescuers having to go in there to rescue them," Falcone said.
Paterson Public Schools officials say due to continued flooding and road closures, all schools and district offices will be closed Wednesday and all after-school programs will be canceled. They expect classes to resume Thursday.
Expect street closures to remain in effect until water recedes.