TOMS RIVER, NJ — The storm that brought heavy rain across much of New Jersey overnight has caused some flooding in lowlying areas and of some roads on Tuesday.

Toms River police were clearing storm drains to get roads to clear as the rain slowed Tuesday morning. In Holiday City in Silverton, Yorktowne Boulevard had more than 2 feet of water in spots, as evidenced by the photo shared by the Toms River PBA of Officer Vic Tamaro clearing a drain. The caption notes Tamaro is 6-foot-5 and was knee-deep in the water trying to clear a drain. A second photo (included above) shows Officer David Talty on New Hampshire Avenue trying to clear a drain before sunrise. National Weather Service forecasters in Mount Holly said the rain that has been falling since Monday is expected to ease sometime after 10 a.m. and taper off in the afternoon. But it was expected to be heavy enough to cause localized flooding.



Authorities remind motorists to not drive through water on a flooded road.

Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other storm-related hazard, the weather service says on its "Turn Around, Don't Drown" webpage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters.

People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.



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