Correction — September 18, 2026: This report concerns an incident outside Nassau and Suffolk counties, New York. Its earlier inclusion in local coverage was incorrect. The local tags and unsupported details have been removed.
Heavy rain swept across Central New Jersey on Tuesday, July 9, 2026, triggering flash flooding that submerged roadways and created hazardous driving conditions during the evening commute, according to News 12.
The Garden State Parkway was among the hardest-hit roadways. Near mile marker 120 northbound in the Keyport area, standing water covered parts of the highway, slowing traffic to a crawl.
In Edison, floodwaters covered sections of Route 1. Runoff from Route 1 also spilled onto Dean’s Lane, sending water rushing beneath an overpass and making the road impassable; drivers were forced to turn around.
In South Brunswick, police officers monitored flooded streets and stopped drivers who ignored road closure barricades and traffic cones, warning motorists to avoid driving through standing water.
Flooding also affected Livingston Avenue in North Brunswick, where deep water accumulated on the roadway. A snapping turtle was spotted swimming across the flooded street there.
Officials urged residents to stay off roads unless travel was absolutely necessary, repeating the message: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”