This past Friday 7/27/18 Carolyn and I went on a journey – to Woodbridge. It started out around 4 p.m. on Friday when we went to the Credit Union. When I came out of the building, I heard thunder and lightning, then it started to rain, and rain, and rain some more. 

We went up Rte. 35 to Rte. 1, then proceeded to go to Capital One Bank in Iselin. Carolyn did her banking, then stayed inside for around a half hour as the rain poured down and then poured some more. Then it stopped a little, so we went down Rte. 1 to Woodbridge Center Drive, which was blocked off by the police a little down the way. We turned into Woodbridge Center Parking lot and drove down a little by Macy’s. Woodbridge Center Drive was flooded and there were three cars almost completely submerged under water. We took some photos, then it started to rain again and again. 

We decided to go to the next light, thereby avoiding the flooded portion of Woodbridge Center Drive. While in the car, Carolyn said, “Maybe we should call one of the news stations and maybe they would want some photos.” So, Carolyn decided to Google CBS News, New York and found a general number. She then called CBS News and an operator answered. When she explained she had pictures of submerged cars and asked if they would be interested. She said, “Hold on,” and transferred her to a man in the newsroom. He said he was interested and sent a phone number to send the photos to. The photos were featured on Channel 2 News about a half-hour later. Carolyn gave him an update on the weather situation in the area and how the police had other roads between Perth Amboy and Woodbridge blocked off and how we could see other vehicles submerged in water. Carolyn communicated back and forth by texting for almost an hour, and he told her to be safe.

We went down Woodbridge Main Street and continued, turning into CVS parking lot. I quickly went in and picked up a few things, then we decided to go down South Fulton Street to Amboy Avenue. It turns out Amboy Avenue was flooded and blocked off by the police. We then turned the other way to go towards Rte. 35. Rte.35 was blocked off by police going towards Perth Amboy. We turned back up Rte. 35 North to Woodbridge and went down towards Sewaren and drove towards Perth Amboy on outer State Street.

When we got to State Street, there was a huge line of vehicles. Many people got tired of waiting and turned around. It continued to rain on and off. After waiting around an hour and half, the rain stopped for 15 minutes. I went and asked the police officer who was blocking off State Street how long it would be. He said, “I can’t give you an answer.”

So, we turned around and had supper at Moby Dick’s. As soon as we walked in the door, we spotted Fernando and Obi Gonzalez who were in the same situation as us, and decided to wait it out and get some food. They offered us some of their pizza and we sat down to talk. After they left, Carolyn and I had some supper and watched the weather and the Mets on TV.

We decided to take a chance and do what our friend, Joe had suggested before and try to go on Rte. 9. So, we went back up through Sewaren, then to Woodbridge Main Street, then on to Rte. 9 South, then through Keasbey, then onto Smith Street into Perth Amboy. After I dropped Carolyn off, the icing on the cake was I couldn’t find a parking space at first, but thankfully someone left on the first time I went around the block. I got home around 9:45 p.m. Time elapsed since we first left in the afternoon: 5hrs 45min. 

I haven’t seen such intense rainstorm in 18 years. Four ways into Perth Amboy were blocked (Amboy Avenue, Rte. 440, Rte. 35, and State Street). When driving by, we saw the Turnpike and Parkway at a standstill. The flooding was intense and terrible. We passed by several accidents on the roads and some vehicles in distress. The conditions were treacherous. 

It felt like Odysseus and his journey in the Odyssey. Just when you thought you were five minutes from home, you’re stuck turning back and keep continuing on your journey. 

Between this storm and Sandy, with Sandy, there was a warning. With this storm, we got hit out of the blue. No one expected these torrential rains, especially those people who had to evacuate their cars quickly when as the water was rising. 

Hope everyone stayed safe. K.M. & C.M.