SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (WCBS 880) — A private New Jersey university announced Friday they believe a freshman student is missing after the remnants of Hurricane Ida slammed the Northeast.
Seton Hall University, a Catholic institution in South Orange, said first-year commuter student Nidhi Rana has not been located since late Wednesday's powerful storm.
Rana was possibly last seen with her friend, Ayush Rana, in her hometown of Passaic, which was hit-hard by flooding, Seton Hall President Joseph E. Nyre said in a message to the Seton Hall community.
The university's president said it is in contact with Passaic police over their pair's disappearance and are urging anyone with information to contact the department at 973-365-3966.
Nyre announced the university's campus ministry will be holding an afternoon mass to pray for Nidhi, Ayush, and their families. Students can contact Seton Hall's counseling services at 973-761-9500.
"Please join me in keeping Nidhi and Ayush in your prayers for their safe return," he said.
The pair's disappearance after the storm comes as New Jersey's death toll rose to 25, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Friday.