New Brunswick Floods: Climate Change Impact

In September 2021, Tropical Storm Ida caused historic flooding in New Brunswick, New Jersey, as the Raritan River overflowed its banks and inundated the city. More than 1,000 residents were evacuated, and the river's surge led to road closures, power outages, and significant challenges for those living in the area. The storm's impact was felt across Rutgers University–New Brunswick, with classes delayed, libraries closed, and dining halls remaining open to support the community.

Tropical Storm Ida caused 8-8.4 inches of rain to fall in New Brunswick

Tropical Storm Ida formed in the Caribbean Sea on August 23, 2021, and intensified into a hurricane on August 27. It made landfall in Louisiana on August 29 as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread damage and power outages. Ida then transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone as it moved through the Northeastern United States, bringing heavy rainfall and breaking records in various locations. The storm caused unprecedented rainfall in the region, with New Jersey and New York experiencing unusually intense and deadly impacts.

The effects of Tropical Storm Ida in New Brunswick were felt about ten days after it made landfall in Louisiana. The storm caused flooding in several areas of the city, including the city center and residential neighborhoods. The flooding led to road closures and traffic gridlock, with Route 18 and other major roads closed due to high water levels. The Raritan River, which runs through New Brunswick, rose over its banks and caused historic flooding.

The impact of the storm in New Brunswick was exacerbated by the fact that the area had already experienced Tropical Storm Henri ten days prior, which had also caused significant rainfall and flooding. The combination of the two storms led to saturated soil and increased the risk of flooding.

The flooding in New Brunswick caused by Tropical Storm Ida led to evacuations, road closures, and disruptions to transportation and daily life in the area. The city and emergency services worked to rescue stranded residents and provide shelter for those who had to leave their homes. The flooding also highlighted the importance of flood maps and risk reduction strategies in helping residents and landowners make informed decisions to avoid or reduce the risks associated with flooding.

The Raritan River overflowed its banks, flooding the city

The Raritan River, a major river in New Jersey, overflowed its banks and flooded the city of New Brunswick on Thursday, September 2, 2021. The flooding was caused by the massive influx of rainwater produced by Tropical Storm Ida, which dumped 8 to 8.4 inches of rain on the area. As a result, the river rose over its banks, causing historic flooding in the city and the evacuation of more than 1,000 residents.

The Raritan River is known for its persistent flooding problems, particularly in the town of Bound Brook, which is partially built on a natural floodplain. However, the flooding in New Brunswick was unprecedented, with the river surging over Route 18, a major artery in and out of the city, and causing it to be shut down. The Hyatt Regency, a high-end hotel in the city center, was among the buildings that had to be closed due to the flooding.

Residents of New Brunswick described the frightening situation as the water continued to rise. One resident recounted, "Thankfully we were able to get some things out, but it was scary because the water keeps rising. We don't know when we will be able to come back." Another long-time resident compared the 2021 flood to previous major floods, stating, "I've seen two of these [major floods] before. This one's outdoing the other two, I'll say that much."

The flooding in New Brunswick highlights the vulnerability of the city to extreme weather events and the importance of preparedness and resilience measures. The city's location on the river, combined with the intense rainfall, led to a rapid rise in water levels and significant impacts on the community. The experience serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of climate change and the need for adaptive strategies to protect residents and infrastructure from flooding events.

The impact of the flooding extended beyond the immediate dangers, as many residents had to evacuate their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. With the rising tide, there was also the possibility that more evacuations would be necessary. Families were forced to leave their belongings behind and seek shelter in schools and community centers, unsure of when they would be able to return to their homes. The flooding caused significant disruption to daily life in New Brunswick, with road closures and gridlocked traffic adding to the challenges faced by residents and emergency responders.

1,000 residents were evacuated, with 164 people and 24 pets in emergency shelters

On Thursday, September 2, 2021, the Raritan River in New Brunswick, New Jersey, overflowed its banks and flooded the city. This was due to 8 to 8.4 inches of rain that fell in the area, causing the river to overflow. As a result, more than 1,000 residents were evacuated, with 164 people and 24 pets in emergency shelters.

The flooding caused significant disruption, with people seen standing on top of flooded cars and riding bikes through neck-deep murky brown floodwater. The Hyatt Regency, a high-end hotel in the city centre, was forced to close, and there were road closures throughout the city, causing traffic gridlock. New Brunswick police rescued 50 stranded motorists from cars trapped in the floodwaters.

Dozens of residents had to be rescued from their homes by boat, and Mayor Brian Wahler pleaded with residents not to try to ride out the flood and to call 911 for help. He also urged people not to walk through the floodwaters due to the risk of live electric wires in the water.

The flooding in New Brunswick was part of the wider impact of Tropical Storm Ida, which caused widespread damage across New Jersey. The Raritan River continued to rise after the initial evacuation, and officials warned that it was expected to peak after 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, with the water level continuing to rise.

The city of New Brunswick issued a statement, saying, "The Raritan River is continuing to rise steadily and will do so over the next few hours. High tide is expected at 5:37 p.m. this afternoon." The rising water levels raised the possibility that additional evacuations might be necessary.

New Brunswick police rescued 50 stranded motorists from cars trapped in floodwater

On July 18, 2023, and September 2, 2021, New Brunswick, New Jersey, experienced severe flooding. Eyewitnesses described the speed at which the floodwaters rose, sweeping away vehicles and forcing residents to evacuate their homes.

In the 2023 incident, at least three people were trapped in their cars or lost their vehicles to the floodwaters. A child was pulled from a car stuck in the flooding by the sheriff's department, and a woman lost her three-month-old son as she tried to escape her flooded home.

In the 2021 flooding, the Raritan River overflowed its banks, causing historic flooding in New Brunswick and the surrounding towns. The river flooded due to 8 to 8.4 inches of rain that fell in the area. More than 1,000 residents were evacuated, and 50 stranded motorists were rescued by the New Brunswick police from cars trapped in the floodwaters.

In both instances, the flash floods caused significant disruption, with road closures and traffic gridlock. The power of the water was strong enough to lift and turn vehicles, endangering those inside and causing property damage.

Rutgers–New Brunswick experienced significant difficulties due to the flooding, with classes delayed and libraries closed

Rutgers–New Brunswick experienced significant disruption due to the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ida in September 2021. The university announced that all campuses, excluding Camden, would delay classes until 1 pm, with employees working from home if possible. Clinical operations remained open, but all recreation centres were closed. The first day of class for Rutgers students was moved online due to the flooding.

The flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ida led to widespread issues across New Jersey, including in New Brunswick. The storm brought 8 to 8.4 inches of rain to the area, causing the Raritan River to flood and leading to substantial damage. More than 1,000 residents of New Brunswick were evacuated, and emergency shelters were set up. The city also experienced road closures and traffic gridlock, with the Mayor urging people to avoid driving into the city if possible.

The impact of the storm extended beyond Rutgers–New Brunswick, with the National Weather Service issuing a tornado warning to New Brunswick and the surrounding area. The state of New Jersey declared a state of emergency, and Governor Phil Murphy stated that "Tropical Storm Ida is severely impacting all areas of our state. The safety of our residents is our main priority, and we urge everyone to be informed of local weather conditions and to stay off the roads."

The flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ida led to dangerous conditions, with David Robinson, a distinguished professor in the Department of Geography and New Jersey State climatologist, warning people to stay away from swollen streams and rivers. He also noted that the storm was one of the major storms of the past decades in northern and central New Jersey, with the potential for the flooding to be in the top 10 for the past century.

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