A school in Bergen County was overwhelmed by Ida's flood waters and now its 1,000 students will have to start the year remotely.

Cresskill Schools Superintendent Mike Burke said three to four feet of water inundated the high school, leaving a swamp of dirt, sewage and debris in every classroom after the waters finally receded. A school custodian was also trapped until he was rescued by firefighters. Burke said the 60-year-old campus is next to a brook, but it's never flooded like this before.

"I was waiting to see a hallway that was not filled with dirt, debris, sewage and I could not find one," he said. "It overtook the school."

Burke said he has no choice but to start classes virtually next week, despite the governor's order for in-person instruction.

State education officials said schools are not allowed to offer remote instruction unless there is a state of emergency.