Storms leave damaged homes, submerged roads in Camden County

PENNSAUKEN, N.J. (WPVI) -- Heavy rain and flash flooding Monday left several Pennsauken homeowners dealing with flooded basements, while high water caused problems for motorists across Camden County.

Residents on 44th Street said they first noticed water entering their basements around 5 a.m. as periods of heavy rain moved through the area.

"Every time it downpoured it started back up again, so three times today it came on and never stopped," said Elisa McNair of Pennsauken.

Residents estimated that at least six homes were affected. Homeowners said they believed sewer water backed up into their houses.

"I had grass and other things back up in the toilet," McNair said.

"This is sewage water coming in reverse pumping into the house versus going out to the sewage drains," resident Astor DeGuzman said.

The storms also created hazardous conditions on area roadways. On Route 38 in Cherry Hill, a charter bus and other vehicles traveled through floodwaters before one driver became stranded and was rescued by police.

County officials urged motorists to use caution when encountering flooded roads.

"We may get some more rain potentially; if we do, residents, please be prepared to slow down and back up if you have to. I'm just hoping no residents get caught in any water," Camden County Commissioner Al Dyer, who is the commission's Public Works liaison, said.

Route 38 was later reopened after street sweepers removed debris and road crews cleared overwhelmed drains.

Similar flooding conditions were reported on Route 130 around the same time. Dyer said maintaining storm drains has become an ongoing priority since a major flooding event earlier in July.

"That's a constant thing that we have to do because you get storms that are not as severe, but you still get twigs and branches that pile up and build up in the inlets," Dyer said. "That's why we have our crews out there doing what they're doing to make sure, if it is coming, we can do our best to make sure we have the water recede as quickly as possible."

Back on 44th Street, residents faced the task of cleaning up water damage, making repairs and replacing belongings lost in the flooding.

Residents noted that utility work is currently taking place on the street and questioned whether it may have contributed to the flooding, saying they had not experienced similar problems before. Township officials had not yet confirmed whether they were investigating a possible connection.

They are hoping this does not happen again.

"That's where my major concern is; I don't want to have to revisit this at all," DeGuzman said.