4 NJ towns submerged after surge breaks levee

By NBC News staff and wire reports A levee broke in northern New Jersey on Tuesday, flooding at least four towns with up to 6 feet of water in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the National Weather Service said. In a statement, the NWS said "portions" of Moonachie, Little Ferry, South Hackensack and Hackensack were submerged, with worse to come during Tuesday morning's high tide, expected at about 10am ET. "We are in rescue mode," said Jeanne Baratta, chief of the Bergen County Executive. There were no reports of fatalities as of yet, she told Reuters. Smartphone users: Watch TODAY's live coverage of Hurricane Sandy Baratta said the towns, along with parts of Carlstadt, had been "devastated" by the flood of water. The break came after Sandy, which dropped below hurricane status just before it hit the U.S. East Coast on Monday, flooded parts of the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast including New York City. She told New Jersey newspaper, The Record, that the entire borough of Moonachie was underwater, and that it had lost its fire and police departments. Baratta said as many as 1,000 residents may need to leave their homes and that people in a trailer park have had to climb on the roofs of their trailers to await rescue, NBCNewYork.com reported. The National Guard, the State Police and local agencies are helping in the evacuation, The Record reported. News site NJ.com reported that 150,000 were without power across Bergen County. Reuters contributed to this report. More content from NBCNews.com: Live updates on Hurricane Sandy 12 rescued, 2 missing from HMS Bounty off N.C. coast Navy commander sent home amid investigation Small earthquake rattles buildings in LA area Florida teen accused of killing mom, boyfriend in bed Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook