Cleanup continues in South Jersey following flooding rain

Southern New Jersey homeowners are still cleaning up after heavy rains this week prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency.

News 12 Staff

Jun 22, 2019, 2:31 AM

Updated 2,014 days ago

Share:

Southern New Jersey homeowners are still cleaning up after heavy rains this week prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency.
Heavy thunderstorms dropped over 8 inches of rain on various parts of the state, causing flooding and damage. Some roadways in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties had to be closed and residents were evacuated by boat.
The flooding has since receded and now cleanup efforts are underway.
“The worst is yet to come,” says Southampton resident Larry Foster.
Foster and his wife watched Friday as a flood adjuster waded through the water to assess the damage to their home. The father of two teens says he is trying to figure out where he and his family will sleep for the foreseeable future.
Foster says that his home sustained tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage, including the dislodgment of the home’s heating oil tank, which leaked into the home. The storm also damaged the home’s phone and power lines. The shed, backyard and first floor of the home remain under water.
The family says that they aren’t strangers to bad flood damage. The home sits along the Rancocas Creek. In 2011 it took the family nine months to rebuild the home following damage from Hurricane Irene.
“When you live through it the first, the second, the third time, you understand what the word devastating means,” Foster says.
Dozens of families who live near the creek in Southampton were forced to evacuate at the height of the storm. The American Red Cross is in the area to help those in need of assistance.
Residents have told News 12 New Jersey that they intend to file flood claims with either FEMA or their insurance company.