Watch Video: Drivers rescued by raft after vehicles get stranded in flooded Newark, New Jersey roads

Videos showing drivers being rescued on a raft after their vehicles stalled in floodwaters in Newark, New Jersey, are drawing attention online as severe thunderstorms brought heavy rain, flash flood warnings and tornado warnings across the Tri-State area on Thursday evening.

New York City, Long Island and other parts of the region were hit by intense showers and thunderstorms, with flooding reported on roads in several areas. While flood and storm watches were later allowed to expire, the weather caused disruptions and hazardous conditions across the region on Thursday evening, August 20.

In Newark, footage claiming to be from the area showed people using a raft to help drivers stranded after floodwaters left their vehicles unable to continue.


“Terrifying stuff! That water is almost 6 inches deep! Thank goodness for the raft. That full size, able-bodied adult could have drowned!” one user wrote in response to the footage.

Another user questioned the need for a raft, writing, “You can’t be rescued from not getting your feet wet. Ridiculous.”

A third commenter similarly questioned the apparent depth of the water, writing, “Water is a 1-2' depth. What am I missing here. Must be sharks in the water.”

The flooding was part of a broader spell of severe weather across the Tri-State area. In Nassau County, officials said a possible tornado touched down in Atlantic Beach. Other communities reported flooded roads as thunderstorms moved through the region.

In Summit, New Jersey, an apparent lightning strike was also suspected of causing an attic fire at a home, reported ABC7 News.