Beware Of Floods In Millburn, Officials Say (Local Weather Forecast)

MILLBURN, NJ — A hard rain is expected to fall in Millburn, and local residents should prepare for potential flooding if it does, authorities said Tuesday.

More than five inches of rain, severe thunderstorms across most of the state and flash flooding are all possible Tuesday into Wednesday for New Jersey, weather forecasters say. See Related: Tropical Storm Debby: Latest Forecast For NJ Impacts

Millburn public safety officials have released a list of reminders and warnings for local residents.

FLOODING - "This afternoon initial pop-ups will start to develop. This first activity will be quite hit or miss, and any flooding or severe impacts will be isolated. Then, the core of the flooding threat waits until a disturbance arrives after 5 or 6 PM into evening. The concern will be both torrential downpours that'll be slow to move, and the high confidence for one or more rounds of activity. As far as rainfall rates, easily 1 or 2" per hour or more is doable, which will quickly overwhelm drains, resulting in flooding of low-lying areas. This poor drainage flooding can be significant where downpours repeatedly impact the same spot, and totals by late tonight can top 4 - 6 inches. It'd be in these spots that streams, creeks, and smaller rivers will experience flooding as well, again significantly so. Activity gradually fades late tonight into tomorrow morning (Weather Works). Heavy rainfall results in the potential for flooding. While much of the flooding is expected to be localized, significant flooding is possible due to rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Especially along fast responding rivers and streams, and in more urbanized locations. (National Weather Service NY)."

MILLBURN PRECAUTIONS - "The Township is actively monitoring the storm system and has taken all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the community. Our on-call meteorologists have provided us with an up-to-date weather forecast, and our team is currently taking steps such as cleaning catch basins, storm drains, pipes, and grates. We have also drained Taylor Park Pond, a task that was successfully accomplished through close coordination with our other emergency management partners. We are closely monitoring the US National Weather Service New York to ensure we are fully prepared for any potential impact. The Emergency Management Trailer is equipped with standby generators and ready to be deployed for residents with disabilities and access and functional needs. Residents in need of sandbags can drive to the DPW yard where empty sandbags are available and can be filled at the self-service station (during business hours only)."

What residents should do:

• Take this storm serious
• PLEASE NEVER ATTEMPT TO DRIVE OR WALK-THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS OR AREAS.
• Ensure that the sumps are functioning correctly. If you have a battery backup for your sump pump, ensure it is charged.
• Check your gutters/leader pipes for any clogs due to leaves and debris.
• Ensure that any drainage around your home is clear now. Do not go out into a storm or high-water situation in an attempt to clear drainage.
• Visit the Township's webpage on Flooding to learn more ways to prepare and stay safe during Flooding.
• If you are concerned about Flooding in your area, please consider staying with a friend or family member who does not reside in a flood-prone area.
• Sign up for Millburn Alert to receive important notifications or updates from the Township.
• Continue to monitor the weather on your preferred channel.

Downed Power Lines (JCPL)

• Important: Touching a power line can cause serious injury or death. You can't tell by looking whether a line is "live" or "hot" or not. Even if a downed line isn't actively sparking, ###strong.
• Stay at least 30 feet away from any downed power line, and don't go near the pole or anything touching the line.
• Call 911 immediately if a power line is down. (Note: please use this option only if you actually see a downed wire. Do not assume that because your power is out there must be a wire down somewhere.)
• Warn others to stay at least 30 feet away from the line until help arrives. Keep pets away, too.
• Customers with a communication disability can report a downed wire using the appropriate ###a href="https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/outages/reporting_outagesbytty-tdd.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="TTY/TDD" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://www.google.com/url?q=h... relay service.
• Other tips for staying safe around downed power lines
• If a downed line is near water - even a small puddle - keep well away.
• Be careful not to stand under damaged tree limbs or power lines. Tree limbs can become weakened during a storm but not fall until several hours or days later. The same can be true for damaged power lines or poles.
• Don't drive or walk over downed power lines.
• If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay inside the vehicle until help arrives.
• Downed power lines that come in contact with a vehicle create a dangerous situation. Do not touch the vehicle. Call 911 immediately to report it.

Flooding:

• Staying Safe During a Flood (Ready.Gov)
  • Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
  • Contact your healthcare provider If you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
  • Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
  • Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
  • Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car.
  • Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary and once their signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.
• If you are under a flood warning (current status is a flood watch)
  • Find safe shelter right away.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
  • Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
  • Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
  • Depending on the type of flooding:
    • Evacuate if told to do so.
    • Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
    • Stay where you are.
• Heed any evacuation orders if necessary and any local State of Emergency warnings.
• Know the difference between a mandatory ###/strongvoluntary evacuation.
  • If officials order a voluntary evacuation of a zone, it is recommended that residents evacuate, especially those in non-elevated structures as well as the elderly and special needs persons.
  • Mandatory evacuations are designed to keep residents safe, and by law residents must leave their homes and the area at risk. Mandatory evacuations include those who have elevated their homes, as unsafe conditions are possible and emergency responders will likely not be able to respond to your call for help should you need it.
• Visit the Township's webpage on Flooding to learn more ways to prepare and stay safe during Flooding. ###a href="https://twp.millburn.nj.us/690/Flooding" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://twp.millburn.nj.us/690/Flooding" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://www.google.com/url?q=h...
• If you are concerned about Flooding in your area, please consider staying with a friend or family member who does not reside in a flood-prone area.
• Residents whose driveways are prone to flooding and wish to move vehicles to higher ground may utilize the 2nd level of the parking garage located on the corner of Essex St and Lackawanna Pl
• Power outages should be reported directly to JCP&L. https://www.firstenergycorp.com/outages_help/Report_Power_Outages.html
• Sign up for Millburn Alert to receive important notifications or updates from the Township.  https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=millburnnj
• Continue to monitor the weather on your preferred channel.     

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FOR UTILITY COMPANIES:

• Jersey Central Power & Light (Electricity) 1-800-544-4877
• PSE&G (Natural Gas) 1-800-436-7734
• New Jersey American Water Company (Water Distribution) 1-800-272-1325
• Comcast (Cable/Internet) 1-800-266-2278
• Verizon Fios (Cable/Internet) 1-888-438-3467
• Verizon 1-800-827-4966

As always, please reserve 9-1-1 for EMERGENCIES ONLY.

• Mountain Valley Emergency Communications Center (Non-Emergency) 908-263-7550
• Millburn Police (Non-Emergency) 973-564-7001
• Millburn Fire (Non-Emergency) 973-564-7035
• Millburn Office of Emergency Management (Non-Emergency) 973-564-1970

West Branch/East Branch Rahway River Gage Heigh Data:

• https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=01394000&legacy=1
• https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=01393895&legacy=1

LOCAL WEATHER FORECAST

Here is the local weather forecast for Millburn this week, according to the National Weather Service:

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Heat index values as high as 95. West wind around 6 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 66. East wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Wednesday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 71. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Northeast wind around 7 mph.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 79. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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