After the flood | Inquirer South Jersey
And 3 million state residents are living in poverty, experts say.
Good morning, South Jersey.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill visited Camden on Tuesday to thank first responders the day after thunderstorms caused intense flooding — and to promote her fight against data centers.
And experts are saying poverty is impacting three times as many state residents than what’s recorded in official federal measurements.
Plus, a man allegedly tried to buy a Pokémon card worth $24,000 with fake cryptocurrency in Marlton, and more news of the day.
— Taylor Allen (southjersey@inquirer.com)
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Gov. Sherrill visited Camden a day after what local officials call the worst flooding they have ever seen in the city.
American Red Cross workers have been providing cleaning supplies, snacks, and water as residents navigate the aftermath. No injuries had been reported, but there were more than 1,000 calls to emergency services, and 14 people were rescued from the flooded streets.
Sherrill urged residents to report damage through the Office of Emergency Management so the state knows how much federal assistance to request.
She also thanked the first responders and touted her recently signed legislation aimed at data centers, which she said would help prevent strain on the power grid during future storms.
The Inquirer’s Aliya Schneider has more details about her visit and legislation.
According to the federal government, 859,000 New Jersey residents are living in poverty, based on the latest statistics available.
But a new report from Poverty Research Institute of Legal Services of New Jersey (PRI), a legal aid nonprofit, says the figure is closer to three million.
People who live at or below the federal poverty line qualify for assistance such as SNAP, Medicaid, and school meals. The issue, according to experts, is that even people with incomes twice the poverty rate still need help when considering the actual costs of housing, childcare, food, and healthcare. It doesn’t help that New Jersey has the third-highest cost of living among states.
“Life’s a struggle,” said one Camden resident whose family makes just enough to be above the federal level. “I would say this feels below the poverty line.”
The number of meals that the Food Bank of South Jersey has distributed to Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Salem Counties has increased by more than a third over the last four years to compensate for rising food costs.
According to PRI, the following are the true poverty rates:
Burlington County: 27.2%
Camden County: 38%
Gloucester County: 29%
Reporter Alfred Lubrano has the story.
What to know today
A 13-year-old boy died in Franklin Township after getting trapped under an overturned tractor, according to local officials.
Because of the damage caused by Monday’s storms and subsequent flooding, the Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Downtown Camden library branch will remain closed for the rest of the week.
A Philadelphia man has been charged with allegedly stealing a Pokémon card worth $24,000 by using fake cryptocurrency in Marlton.
The owner of Bunker Fitness Center in Blackwood converted a former Rite Aid into his current gym about a year ago. He is about to open a second location at another “zombie” Rite Aid in Cherry Hill.
The Cherry Hill Mall will welcome five new stores including Aritzia, Timberland, and True Religion.
A new Sprouts Farmers Market is set to come to Washington Township in August.
Moorestown native Marie McCool was named MVP of the Lexus Women’s Lacrosse League All-Star Game earlier this week.
🧠 Trivia time
What is the Rutgers-Camden mascot?
A) The Scarlet Raptor
B) Sir Henry, the Scarlet Knight
C) The Scarlet Raider
D) The Prof, Whoo RU
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re …
🎤 Remembering: When Taylor Swift was sighted and then swarmed by fans on Long Beach Island. (Congrats to her and Travis Kelce for getting married over Fourth of July weekend.)
🎧 Listening: To Beyoncé’s first new song in two years, "Morning Dew (Donk)."
🏠 Viewing: A spacious and simple home overlooking Rancocas Creek in Delanco. (Is your house a Haven? Nominate your home by email — and send some digital photographs — via properties@inquirer.com.)
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: 🌊 Runs through four states
ARRIVAL WEEDER
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Joe Galliera, who solved last Wednesday’s anagram: Walt Whitman. This bridge connects South Philadelphia with Gloucester City.
🏡 On the market
The spacious main level of the four-bedroom and 2.5-bath home includes a formal living room, a dining room, a powder room, a family room, and an office. The house was built in 2008 but the kitchen was upgraded in 2025 with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and breakfast bar seating.
All four bedrooms are upstairs. The primary suite has large closet space and a renovated en suite bath with a Jacuzzi tub.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $750,000 | Size: 3,018 SF | Acreage: 0.13
I’ll have more news for you tomorrow. See you then! 👋🏽
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