Flash Flood Watch Issued For Friday, Saturday

The remnants of Tropical Storm Andrea are expected to dump as much as 4 inches of rain around the Westwood area Friday and residents are worried that the Pascack Brook could flood.

"The reservoir is really high and we're expecting a lot of rain," Westwood resident Tracey Lombardi said. "If they don't lower it, we're going to flood again."

As of 6 p.m. Thursday, the water level in the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir was at about 94.4 feet. Water is released from the reservoir if it reaches 95.25 feet.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for a large swath of the tri-state area, including eastern Bergen County, from Friday morning until Saturday afternoon.

Members of the Hillsdale & Westwood Flood Solution Group were calling the Department of Environmental Protection Thursday to ask them to order United Water to release water before the storm. United Water typically only releases water if ordered to by the DEP.

In an email sent to Westwood residents Thursday evening, Mayor John Birkner wrote that he had also requested the water level be dropped, but "the state's technical experts are not recommending a water release at this time."

"I strongly advise all residents living in flood prone areas to take all necessary precautions to secure your property should water levels continue to rise," Birkner wrote

Hillsdale Council President Tom Kelley, a member of the Flood Solution Group and firefighter, said he expected just 3 inches of rain would cause street flooding.

Three inches of rain translate into 3 feet of water in the reservoir, according to Donald MacLachlan, the Flood Solution Group's attorney. He called for United Water to release water despite the lack of government order.

"United Water does not need an order from the governor or from DEP because they have an obligation to operate in a manner that does not endanger life or damage property downstream," MacLachlan said.

Check back with Patch for updates.