Several areas in Camden, New Jersey, flooded Monday after heavy rain fell across the region.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Multiple cars stalled Monday afternoon trying to drive through water at Cooper Street and Delaware Avenue. People who live and work in the area said the storm arrived with a vengeance but passed quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Camden activated its emergency operations center because of flooding throughout the city.<\/p>\n
“It’s insane. I’m 4-11 and it goes all the way up to my hips or even into my stomach, so it’s pretty high,” said Sonya Ramirez, who works nearby.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“We’re trying to go to the aquarium, and we just got here, and all of a sudden, the road was closed. It was crazy,” said Julia Sliwoski, who is visiting from Seattle.<\/p>\n
Camden officials said 4 inches of rain fell in a short period of time during Monday’s storm.<\/p>\n
A city spokesperson said crews completed some water rescues Monday, but no injuries have been reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During a press conference, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen said officials are developing a plan to deal with the damage and have been in touch with the governor’s office. He urged people not to drive through floodwaters.<\/p>\n
“This wasn’t a typical rainstorm that happened today. This was unexpected and a serious weather event,” Carstarphen said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
City phones and email services were disrupted by the storm but have been restored, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Residents and business owners who have experienced flood damage are encouraged to contact their insurance companies and can call the city’s emergency operations center hotline at 856-757-7132 or 856-757-7139 to begin the property damage assessment process, the mayor said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
JYM Supermarket<\/a>\u00a0in Camden shared a video on Instagram showing its flooded basement and water rushing down Haddon Avenue<\/a>.<\/p>\n Farther north, the roof of a BJ’s Wholesale Club on NJ-35 in Monmouth County collapsed during the heavy rain<\/a>. Video shared on social media shows water pouring into the store. Everyone inside the building was able to safely escape, officials said.<\/p>\n Road closures in Philadelphia<\/p>\n Some streets in Philadelphia flooded Monday as well, and water seeped into businesses<\/a> and cars on North Front Street in Fishtown.<\/p>\n