Newark Public Safety Rescues 73 People During Saturday's Floods

Newark NJ

19 July, 2021

11:56 AM

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NEWARK, NJ —The Newark Department of Public Safety rescued 73 people during Saturday afternoon's storms, which brought nearly six inches of rain in less than two hours, according to Brian O'Hara, public safety director. O'Hara said no injuries were reported as a result of the weather emergency. According to a release, significant flooding led to multiple vehicles being submerged, mainly in areas in the Ironbound section of the city and the industrial areas of the South and East wards. Five Zodiac boats were deployed by the Department of Public Safety to rescue people stranded on flooded roadways. Twenty-one people were rescued from a bus that was stranded in the flood at Meeker Avenue and Empire Street. "The Department of Public Safety activated its Emergency Operations Center and conducted an emergency recall of certain members to enhance emergency response capacity," O'Hara said. "I commend Newark's police, fire and emergency management personnel for their diligence in safely removing victims trapped in their vehicles from flooded streets." Also on Saturday, a police bus was used to transport five dialysis patients from a facility on South Street, after a van designated to transport them was unable to drive through the flooded streets. Police eventually took the patients home, though one was in need of additional treatment and was transported to a local hospital, according to public safety officials. The Department of Public Safety also assisted with notifications of eight minor power outages, cut trees that were blocking roadways and towed 16 abandoned vehicles blocking roadways. "We continue to remind residents to avoid driving through flooded streets during heavy rain or thunderstorms," O'Hara said.