New Jersey Weather Rainfall Totals Show More Than 3 Inches of Rain Fell Across Several Towns
A fierce set of summer thunderstorms dumped heavy rain on areas of New Jersey on Monday, July 6, 2026, submerging roadways, trapping cars and causing flash flooding in neighbourhoods. Storms crawled through Camden, Gloucester and Burlington counties, pounding South Jersey the hardest. Some communities received several inches of rain in a short amount of time while nearby areas received much less.
New Jersey Rainfall Totals Show Hardest-Hit Towns
West Deptford topped the Rutgers NJ Weather Network list with 5.29 inches of rain in New Jersey. Cherry Hill measured 4.49 inches and Red Lion received 4.43 inches. Another measurement from the National Weather Service reported 4.38 inches in Camden. The statistics illustrate the extent to which rainfall varied across a relatively short area, and why flooding became so severe in specific neighbourhoods.
The rain was getting faster and that made it more dangerous. The hardest part of the storm dumped almost three inches in just one hour, Camden County officials said. Rain falling at that rate can overwhelm drainage systems, fill underpasses and cause nearby creeks to rise before residents have much time to prepare.
Flash Flooding Hits Camden County
Camden County was one of the hardest hit. Floodwater covered major roads, stranding motorists and forcing emergency crews to make about 40 water rescues. Roadways that were flooded with water included Route 38 in Cherry Hill, as well as other streets and low-lying areas across the county that became hazardous or impossible to traverse.
After Cherry Hill got more than 2.5 inches of rain, the Cooper River overflowed its banks near Pennypacker Park. Camden residents and local business owners reported flooded basements, damaged cars and water entering buildings. The storms moved , but standing water and damaged property remained big worries as cleanup work proceeded.
Local officials claimed areas of the New Jersey city were inundated with more than 4 inches of rain, overwhelming Camden’s storm drainage and sewer systems. The abrupt flood revealed how quickly infrastructure can be overwhelmed when an exceptionally big volume of water falls on a small area.
How the Rain Became Deadly So Quickly
But that was not the major concern, but the strength of the whole downpour. Thunderstorms moved along and dumped repeated downpours over parts of the same areas. Flash flood warnings issued during the event warned of rain rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour in sections of South Jersey. Some warning areas had already received between 2 and 5 inches when the rain began to subside.
Urban and suburban areas are particularly susceptible because roads, parking lots and buildings stop water from seeping naturally into the ground. Runoff instead flows rapidly towards storm drains, streams and low-lying areas. Water may quickly build up near roadways, homes and businesses when drainage systems get blocked.
Flood warnings being taken seriously by residents.
The storm showed why rainfall totals can vary widely from town to town. Residents should follow local advisories rather than assuming things are the same throughout an entire county. Even if the water looks shallow, drivers should never try to drive through flooded roads because flowing water might cover road damage or wash a vehicle away.
People in flood-prone regions should carefully investigate basements, document property damage and remove accessible drainage areas as circumstances improve. Stay away from floodwater as it may contain trash, pollutants, unstable surfaces or dangerous currents.
Sources
- Rutgers NJ Weather Network: Reported 5.29 inches in West Deptford, 4.49 inches in Cherry Hill and 4.43 inches in Red Lion.
- FOX 29 Philadelphia: Camden County officials reported over 3 inches of rain in one hour and approximately 40 water rescues.
- CBS Philadelphia: National Weather Service data shows Camden got 4.38 inches of rain.
- 6abc Philadelphia: Flooding reported in homes, basements and vehicles. More than 4 inches of rain in Camden.
- Reuters Connect: Heavy rain in Cherry Hill caused the Cooper River to overflow near Pennypacker Park.
