Irene Knocks Down 12 Trees in Haddonfield

Mayor Tish Colombi said Sunday morning that 11 trees in Haddonfield were toppled by Hurricane Irene, but no injuries and very little property damage have been reported. Just before noon, another massive tree tumbled across West End Avenue, at Woodland Avenue.

Colombi was quickly on the scene, with borough Administrator Sharon McCullough. 

"I do think we were fortunate that this is all that happened with such a dire forecast," Colombi said. "We really pulled through, very lucky with such a scary kind of night, with predictions of tornados and flooding. I just think our residents were prepared and did a good job. So far, so good."

The mayor said a dam at Evans Pond was breeched by water, but that was on Camden County property, near the Mews residential complex. She did not immediately know the extent of damage. A call to Camden County officials was not immediately returned.

Colombi said the borough school district sent e-mail blasts from Haddonfield officials over the weekend to keep residents informed.

"I think we did a good job of keeping people informed," Colombi said. "It was just a community kind of effort. I think that's why it all turned out so well."

Weather forecasters are still calling for strong wind gust for most of the day and warning of trees that may be weakened at the roots from rain from Hurricane Irene. The 2.5-square-miles of Haddonfield has 9,000 trees on borough right of ways. Many are 60-feet high or taller and weigh thousands of pounds.