Storm Soaks New Jersey, Sends Shore Home Into Water
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A drenching rain continued to soak most of New Jersey on Saturday, spurring minor flooding in some areas and washing a Jersey shore home into the water.
The storm had also caused scattered power outages throughout the state, with about 3,600 utility customers having no service as of early Saturday afternoon. The rains had also slowed down traffic on the state's major roadways, including the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike, but no major travel issues were being reported.
The wet weather was expected to continue through the weekend, and a coastal flood warning for the state was due to remain in effect until Sunday evening. About two inches of rain had fallen in most areas since Wednesday, and forecasters said another 1 to 2 inches was possible by Sunday night.
Coastal communities were bearing the brunt of the storm, as the heavy rains and high tides battered the region.
No fatalities were being blamed on the storms, but they did dislodge an entire house from its pilings in a low-lying area of Middle Township in southern Jersey. The remnants of the home could be seen in Grassy Sound after daybreak Saturday, and residents there were bracing for the possibility of moderate flooding Saturday afternoon.
No one was in the residence when it dislodged, and authorities said the matter remains under investigation.
Joe Clifford, who lives in the neighborhood, told The Associated Press that the house broke loose and went by his home, then hit and a few decks out in the water and struck his 18-foot boat — which capsized — before it went out to the bay.
"(The house) is just sitting down in the bay now, it's in pieces," Clifford said.
While Superstorm Sandy destroyed decks and caused other damage in the area when it hit three years ago, Clifford said he had "never seen anything" like the storm that hit Friday night.
"The winds were incredible, and everyone didn't get their boats out in time," he said. "There was lots of destruction from winds. We knew there was going to be a storm, but we didn't know it would be this severe."
Clifford said he and his neighbors were working together "to make sure we don't lose anything else" while they remained on alert Saturday afternoon, waiting to see what the storm would bring next.
(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
