Rockslide caused by overnight rain pummels several luxury cars for 2nd time in several weeks

This isn’t the first time this has happened. Tenants tell News 12 that almost two months ago there was another rockslide. And now tenants are not wanting to renew their leases.

Naomi Yané

Dec 11, 2023, 11:19 PM

Updated 365 days ago

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This weekend’s rainstorm caused a rockslide that damaged nearly a dozen luxury cars in the parking lot of an apartment building on River Road in North Bergen.
This isn’t the first time this has happened. Tenants tell News 12 that almost two months ago there was another rockslide. And now tenants are not wanting to renew their leases.
Brooke James has only lived at The Duchess apartment complex since July. She says this is already her second rockslide since moving in.
"I was jolted awake at 3 a.m. The building was shaking, there was a horrible noise and then we saw muddy water coming down the side,” James says.
Dellil Laidley also moved to the building earlier this year and like James, her car was spared the first time, but not so much this time.
"I was forced to park back there. With the lack of parking spaces, it’s first-come, first-served and I came last,” Laidley says.
Look at the rock formation behind the luxury building, it seems the mesh or cable netting that usually serves as a barrier from falling rocks seems to end right where the building’s property starts. Behind the Dutchess building, there is a fence, but the rocks proved too strong for the fence and smashed the cars in the lot below. Laidley says she will not be renewing her lease.
“I move out in one month. I just got really unlucky, I am definitely done,” Laidley says.
Tenants tell News 12 that management told them that they were working with local and state agencies to find a solution. But until then, residents are left scrambling for a solution.
News 12 reached out to the property managers who were at the Duchess in person, and they said "No comment.” News 12 also reached out to the city and hasn’t heard back yet.
No injuries were reported as a result of the rockslide.