Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in New Jersey, December 17, 2000

A low pressure system rapidly intensified as it moved northeast across the Great Lakes as a strong high pressure system northeast of New England moved slowly northeast during Sunday, December 17th. The difference in pressure between these systems caused increasing south winds. As an intensifying cold front trailing from the low approached the area with abundant low level moisture in place, widespread rain with embedded thunderstorms occurred. Heavy rain caused significant flooding at several locations. Heavy showers, some associated with severe thunderstorms, produced wind damage at several locations.Here are selected wind damage reports and measured peak wind gusts:In Passaic County, high winds downed trees that fell on a car which injured 2 occupants in Clifton.In Bergen County, trees were downed in Ramsey. The peak wind gust measured by the Automated Surface Observing System at Teterboro Airport was 41 mph at 10:27 am.In Essex County, numerous trees were downed in West Caldwell, Caldwell, Essex Fells, Maplewood and Nutley. The peak wind gust measured by the Automated Surface Observing System at Newark Airport was 51 mph at 10:50 pm.In Hudson County, trees were downed in Kearney and two sections of Harrison. The peak wind gust measured by spotter equipment at Harrison was 47 mph at 11:00 am.In Union County, trees were downed in Plainfield, Hillside, and Union. Telephone poles were also downed across part of Route 22 in Union. The peak wind gust measured by spotter equipment at Elizabeth was 53 mph.The heaviest rain occurred in bands oriented from southwest to northeast ahead of the approaching cold front. The axis of the heaviest rain extended from Western Union County northeast across Western Essex, Central Passaic, and Western Bergen Counties, where 2 to 3 inches of rain fell with isolated amounts up to 3 1/2 inches. Flooding of low-lying poor drainage areas and streams occurred.Here are selected rainfall amounts and flood damage reports:In Passaic County, rainfall amounts ranged from 2.20 inches at West Patterson to 3.11 inches at Charlottesburg.In Bergen County, rainfall amounts ranged from 1.32 inches at New Milford to 2.91 inches at Franklin Lakes. Flooding was reported in Oakland and the Saddle River in Lodi was near bankfull at 11:29 am.In Essex County, rainfall amounts ranged from 1.38 inches at Maplewood to 2.60 inches at Essex Fells. Flooding occurred along parts of the JFK Parkway in Millburn. The Peckman River at Verona crest stage was 4.60 feet at 1:00 pm, which was 1.1 feet above its' flood stage of 3.5 feet.In Union County, rainfall amounts ranged from 2.10 inches at Cranford to 2.48 inches at Mountainside. Urban flooding of low-lying poor drainage areas was reported in Elizabeth and Union. The Rahway River at Springfield was above its' flood stage of 5.5 feet from 12:15 pm through 5:30 pm. Its' crest stage was 6.04 feet at 2:00 pm.