Rivers slow to recede in New Jersey

NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- Water in northern New Jersey is slowly receding, but much of the region remained under water.

In Paterson, the Passaic River continues to spill into the streets, and a bridge was completely consumed. Homes along the Pompton River are still surrounded by water, while homes in Fairfield remain submerged.

A number of residents remain in shelters, and the situation doesn't look like it will get any better until at least midweek.

The floodwater may be slowly receding, but it's going to take much longer for life to start returning to normal. And residents know this will not be the last time.

"So it's like, do you want to live like this all the time?" Little Falls resident Joe Hida said. "It's very difficult to even watch this."

Emergency officials say it will be Tuesday at the earliest before anyone is allowed home in Little Falls. School was canceled there Monday, as well as in Paterson and Woodland Park.

But as we head into another work week, widespread road closures are making it very difficult for those who need to get around. New Jersey Transit's Wayne station parking lot looked more like a pool Sunday and was obviously not useable.

NJ Transit say bus service is suspended to and from Willowbrook Mall. There is also very limited access to the Wayne Transfer Station. Bus tickets will be honored on Main, Bergen, Montclair and Boonton rail lines.

The Passaic River crested in Paterson Sunday morning at 12.4 feet, more than five feet over its flood stage. The river crested in Little Falls at 11.8 feet.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie toured the flood regions on Friday, urging residents he was going to do everything he could do to help.

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new jersey, flooding, passaic river, pompton river, raritan river, wayne, little falls, pompton lakes, pequannock, paterson, new jersey news

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