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NEWARK, NJ – You know a storm is bad when people start to describe it as “biblical”.
That’s what one person had to say about the weather that hit Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday night as the remnants of Hurricane Ida moved through the area.
From 11 p.m., all flight activity was suspended at the airport. All rail services from NJ Transit and Amtrak have also been suspended “until further notice,” airport officials said.
This came as no surprise to many travelers. Forecasters had warned parts of the state could experience flooding, thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes from Wednesday to Thursday. The National Weather Service has predicted 3 to 6 inches of rain in northern Jersey. Read more: Thunderstorms and flooding expected as Ida hits NJ
But the volume of the downpour stunned many local commuters and weather enthusiasts.
I returned from Newark airport. Its biblical rain and wind.
– Michael Reilly (@IrishMikeReilly) September 2, 2021
Watching from afar, but as a meteorologist this is one of the scariest weather nights I have ever seen in the Northeast. Newark Airport had 6.36 “of rain in the 2.5 hours ending at 9:30 PM and it is still raining heavily.
– Alan Gérard (@ Wxmanms1) September 2, 2021
Meanwhile, stunning images of flooding at the airport started to spread online. A video posted by Twitter user @ mikeybrasi87 showed a “swimming pool” on the ground floor of terminal B.
The ground floor of Terminal B at EWR has added a swimming pool! pic.twitter.com/TTcPdmUVa1
– Mikey Brasi (@ mikeybrasi87) September 2, 2021
Before the floods, port authorities in New York and New Jersey warned that flights could be impacted on Wednesday and Thursday.
Heavy rains and strong winds, remains of #Ida, are expected in our region later today. This could impact flight activity tonight through Thursday morning. Anyone traveling from #Newark Liberty must confirm flight status with their airline before arriving at the airport. pic.twitter.com/Ve2GFFeKJx
– Newark Liberty Airport. Wear a face cover. (@ EWRaoport) September 1, 2021
On Thursday evening, airport officials reported that all airport parking lots were closed.
All parking lots at EWR airport are closed.
– Newark Liberty Airport. Wear a face cover. (@ EWRaoport) September 2, 2021
“They just told us that we weren’t going to collect our bags tonight … to come back tomorrow,” said one traveler tweeted Wednesday evening.
In an update around 10:30 p.m., airport officials tweeted that all flight activity was suspended.
“We are experiencing severe flooding from the storm tonight,” officials said. “All flight activities are currently suspended and travelers are strongly advised to contact their airline for the latest information on resumption of flights and services. Passengers are being diverted from flooded areas at ground level.”
#EWR All NJ Transit and Amtrak rail services have been suspended until further notice.
– Newark Liberty Airport. Wear a face cover. (@ EWRaoport) September 2, 2021
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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