New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency.
State offices were closed in response to the emergency declaration.
People were warned to stay off the roads
The emergency declaration was effective from 3 p.m. on Friday.
Severe rainfall had already impacted the state, particularly in the north and central regions.
Hazardous conditions had resulted from heavy rainfall.
Further acceleration of rainfall was expected in many parts of the state over the next several hours.