Storm damage and flood mitigation efforts reported in New Jersey and Queens

Severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall have caused significant flooding and infrastructure damage across parts of the Northeastern United States. In New Jersey, powerful storms brought between three and seven inches of rain to South Jersey counties, including Camden and Gloucester. The overflow of Raccoon Creek tributaries caused a partial collapse of the shoulder on Route 322 near Swedesboro Road, leading to major traffic delays on a key route to the Jersey Shore. At Rowan University in Glassboro, flooding was severe enough to require kayaks for navigation in parking lots during student move-in.

In response to increasing weather challenges, New York City officials have launched a flood mitigation initiative in Queens. The $8.4 million project replaces concrete medians in Whitestone, Forest Hills, and Queens Village with green spaces, such as grass and wildflowers, designed to absorb stormwater. These landscaped areas are expected to capture approximately 5 million gallons of floodwater annually to help reduce street flooding in neighborhoods prone to heavy rainfall.