Flood in New Jersey, December 6 to 11, 1996

A low pressure system developed over South Carolina the afternoon of the 5th. As it quickly intensified and moved northeast (It passed just east of the New Jersey coast the morning of the 6th.), heavy rain spread across Morris County after midnight on the 6th.Storm totals averaged between 1.00 and 1.50 inches across the county. This heavy rain combined with the recent heavy rain on the 1st and 2nd was enough to push the Passaic River at Pine Brook above flood stage again. The river was above its estimated 19 foot flood stage from 730 a.m. EST on the 6th through 6 a.m. EST on the 11th. The river crested at 19.5 feet at 815 p.m. EST on the 8th. A second shot of heavy rain during the afternoon and evening of the 7th averaged about an inch in Morris County. This caused additional rivers to flood. The Passaic River at Chatham was above its 6 foot flood stage from 745 p.m. EST on the 7th to midnight EST on the 8th. It crested at 6.1 feet at 9 p.m. EST. The Rockaway River below the Boonton Reservoir reached its 5 foot flood stage at 530 a.m. EST on the 8th, crested at 5.2 feet at 1215 p.m. EST on the 8th and was within bankfull again at 530 a.m. EST on the 9th. No serious injuries or damage were reported.