PATERSON, NJ — Severe flash flooding swept through Paterson and surrounding North Jersey communities on Sunday September 13th after parts of the region received roughly three to five inches of rain in a matter of hours, flooding streets, businesses and vehicles and requiring emergency water rescues. Legislators are calling for the immediate passage of the Polluters Pay Act this fall — legislation that would require major fossil fuel extractors to pay for their role in driving the climate crisis and fund infrastructure upgrades to protect New Jersey communities. 

Paterson officials reported that emergency crews rescued about 20 people from rapidly rising floodwaters. The National Weather Service documented multiple vehicles trapped across the city and numerous cars flooded along 11th Avenue, with some submerged up to their windows. Flooding was also reported in Wayne, Woodland Park, Little Falls and communities across Bergen County.

“When flooding hits Paterson, our first responders are the ones rushing into dangerous conditions to rescue residents, get people out of stalled cars, and keep our neighborhoods safe. They deserve more than our thanks. They deserve the resources and infrastructure that can prevent these emergencies from becoming routine,” said Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz. “The Polluters Pay Act would help make sure the cost of strengthening our communities does not fall entirely on local taxpayers and working families. We need to invest in flood protection, resilient infrastructure, and the tools our emergency responders need to keep people safe.”

“The flooding we’ve seen in Paterson doesn’t end when the water recedes. Families are left dealing with damaged homes and vehicles, higher insurance costs, and unexpected expenses, while last year’s water main breaks left many residents across our district without water for days. Working families should not have to shoulder these costs alone,” said Assemblyman Kenyatta Stewart. “The Polluters Pay Act is about accountability and making sure those responsible help invest in the infrastructure improvements we need to address flooding, strengthen our aging water systems, prevent future disruptions, and keep our communities safe.”

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh has also pointed to the need for greater investment in infrastructure as the city continues to face repeated flooding.

“We’re trying to manage the best we can,” Sayegh said. “Any funding that we receive, whether it’s federal, whether it’s state and now, like I say before, it has to become a federal priority to focus on infrastructure improvement or we’re just going to keep having the same conversations.”

The storm also flooded portions of the Racefaster Half Marathon course in Paramus. Despite a two-hour delay, the race proceeded as runners encountered sections of waist-deep floodwater.

The flooding follows a summer marked by repeated extreme-weather emergencies in New Jersey. Last month, State Senator John McKeon pointed to more than 60 water rescues during flooding in Newark and Jersey City and 29 deaths connected to extreme heat over the July 4 weekend while discussing the Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act.

“Over 60 water rescues from Newark and Jersey City flooding last week. 29 deaths likely caused by extreme heat across the state this July 4th weekend. NJ Health Department advising folks to stay inside due to cross-continental wildfire smoke in between. Victims and taxpayers paid for it. But now the polluters who profited will pay to protect us from the problems they caused,” said prime Senate Sponsor John McKeon, who represents NJ’s 27th legislative district. “Economic experts have documented tens of thousands of jobs will be created for 20 years without consumers or taxpayers paying a dime. Isn’t it time to pass the Polluters Pay Act?” 

The legislation, S2338/A3735, would establish a $50 billion climate cost-recovery program funded by major fossil-fuel companies. The funds would be used for climate resilience projects including flood protection, stormwater and water infrastructure, extreme-heat protections and other infrastructure improvements.

Local advocates are calling for the bill to be passed to make Paterson and Passaic County communities safer, more resilient, and more affordable.  

“This level of flooding isn’t normal. It’s only happening because of climate change, and it’s communities like Paterson that end up paying the price,” said Antoinette Miles, State Director of the New Jersey Working Families Party. “The fossil fuel companies responsible for this crisis made billions of dollars from polluting our planet. We can’t afford to let them off the hook for all the damage they’ve caused.”

“When it floods in New Jersey, it’s working class and immigrant neighborhoods that get hit the hardest. Our infrastructure wasn’t built to handle all of this rain, especially in cities like Paterson where the pipes are over 150 years old,” said Nedia Morsy, Director of Make the Road New Jersey, a grassroots immigrants’ rights organization. “Families are stuck bailing out their homes and losing their cars while the fossil fuel companies that caused this make record-breaking profits. It’s time to stop protecting these polluters and start making them pay.”

 “Extreme flash flooding is not a rarity for Paterson. Families, businesses, and first responders have to be perpetually ready for the next wave of water and destruction. This is no way to live,” said Amy Goldsmith, NJ State Director of Clean Water Action.  “Creating safeguards and infrastructure that address this and prevent future tragedies requires money. NJ Polluters Pay Act puts a portion of the cost squarely on those most responsible and able to pay-$50 billion over 20 years from big oil extractors and their stockholder is just a drop in the bucket for them. Meanwhile families and local municipalities are literally underwater and scrambling to rescue and recover with very few if any resources to do it. No further debate about the need for Polluters Pay exists. The evidence is overwhelming. No time for delay. NJ legislators post the bill and vote YES – anything other than its passage would be irresponsible.”

“Paterson families should not have to watch their streets flood, their cars get destroyed, and their neighbors get rescued from rising water while the cost of every disaster gets pushed back onto working people,” said Ben Dziobek, Executive Director of Climate Revolution Action Network. “We know New Jersey needs stronger flood protection, better water infrastructure, and more resources for the first responders who are there when these disasters hit. The question is who pays for it. That’s exactly why we need the major polluters who caused this crisis to help cover those costs instead of leaving families and local taxpayers through the Polluters Pay Act.”

“Paterson was just one town hit hard by increasingly severe flash flooding this summer,” said Matt Smith, New Jersey State Director at Food & Water Watch. “New Jersey cannot afford any more casualties or extreme costs due to inaction by our elected representatives. To deliver on their affordability commitments Trenton lawmakers must pass the Polluters Pay Act without delay.”

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