Water rescues made in Wayne after drivers get stuck on flooded streets
WAYNE, N.J. -- Parts of Wayne remained under water on Thursday as yet another storm approaches.
One couple who has lived in the township for years was prepared to navigate flooded streets with a boat equipped with neon green lights so they could see at night.
Kreg Daviou evacuated Tuesday when the storm started. Thursday, he stopped by his home to check on his cats.
"I just wanted to scoop their litter, hang out with them a little bit," he said.
A number of homes remain under water, with water past the door line and clogged drains lining the roadway
Thursday night, Izzy Ismail strapped on makeshift galoshes -- trash bags secured with duct tape -- and started wading through the water to get home.
"I was hoping that [the trash bag would work], but I don't think it's going to do anything," he said.
One couple told CBS New York they lost three vehicles during the last storm and had to be rescued by the marine unit. They didn't want a repeat this time around, so they left as soon as Tuesday's storm hit and have been staying at a hotel. They came Thursday to check on the flood. Since it hasn't receded much, they're going to stay at the hotel a few more nights.
"We have a bi-level house, so the basement is technically the first floor of our house. We lost everything," Marie Palomba said.
"We got 46 inches," her husband said.
"We lost everything. The laundry room, a pool table, 3D printers, cars, computers. Everything," Palomba said.
Their frustration is starting to build.
"How many more times is this going to happen? How many more times are they going to do this, where they refuse to open the floodgates even after mayors from multiple towns are pleading with you?" Palomba said.
Insurance appraisers were out checking on vehicles.
"With more rain on the way, I'm anticipating for it to get much worse," appraiser James Valenti said.
The marine unit rescued a handful of drivers on Thursday, including Atif Tanious, who got stuck.
"I didn't realize it was going to be that bad. The car just shut off, and I left it there ... I called 911, and they came and they take me out," he said.
The police chief says attempting to drive through flood waters isn't just dangerous for drivers, but rescuers too.
"You can't see the bottom. You can't see debris in the roadway. You can't see obstacles, and there is a current to it so it's very dangerous," Police Chief Jack McNiff said.
"I'm not that brave. I wouldn't go in," Pequannock Township resident Shari Valenz said.
"You don't know if there's downed electrical wires, you don't know if there's debris. It's not a joke," Pompton Plains resident Lauren Lynn said.
The police chief tells us the Passaic River is still cresting, so there are still several days of flood watch to go. Residents should stay vigilant. Don't drive through cones or barricades.
