Potential ‘Record-Breaking Flooding’ Has Tri-State Residents On Edge

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floodingWith much of the rain gone for most of the Tri-State, all eyes now are on area rivers, many of which are expected to crest well above flood stage.

A flood watch remains in effect for most of the Tri-State area, according to AccuWeather.

Drivers are urged to avoid any area where water covers the road, since it can be much deeper than it appears.

An emergency management spokesman said agencies in New Jersey were preparing for what they called “potential record-breaking flooding.”

Police cars and fire trucks circled Little Falls, N.J. requesting that they evacuate their homes due to rising flood waters.

Lynne Shaw, who lives right on the Passaic River, said she will stay put. “I just sit and watch it,” Shaw said.

Major flooding was expected along the Passaic river over the weekend. It is expected to crest at 11 feet, well above the major flood stage.

Emergency Management director Fred Battelli told 1010 WINS’ John Montone that he will not risk the lives of first responders if people ignore the call to evacuate.

“To send firemen and police officers in boats to take people out who could’ve left when it was much safer to do so I think is almost irresponsible,” Battelli said.

Homeowner Bret Thomas said he thinks the state needs to do more to provide long-term relief.

“They need to put flood gates in it to dam and control the water… the stuff that they have is lipstick on a pig,” Thomas said.

Residents along the Millstone and Raritan rivers were watching the waters carefully.

Cathy Quick, a Manville resident, said “Moses isn’t available these days to part the waters, so you have to do what you have to do.”

“It’s nature, you can’t stop it, you just do the best you can,” Quick told WCBS 880′s Peter Haskell.

In Lincoln Park, volunteer Audrey Finn said she expects flooding is “going to be massive,” as she helped prepare for evacuations. The National Guard is moving heavy amphibious vehicles into place to aid with rescues.

Gov. Chris Christie will get a close look at the flooding. He will tour the Pompton Lakes flood site in Wayne.

In the village of Elmsford in Westchester County, N.Y., CBS2′s Tony Aiello saw a car submerged in water up to the level of its rear-view mirror Friday morning.

Mayor Robert Williams said local businesses have lost millions of dollars since the first rounds of flooding began earlier this week.

Stretches of the Hutchinson, Saw Mill, Taconic, Bronx River and Sprain River parkways are closed in Westchester County.

About a half-dozen ducks and a goose were taking advantage of the flooding in the area: they were spotted swimming in the middle of a closed section of the Hutchinson River Parkway.

Connecticut Governor Dan Molloy ordered his state’s emergency operations center to open ahead of expected flooding.

The following rivers were already experiencing moderate flooding in the pre-dawn hours Friday: Passaic, Ramapo, Rockaway, Pompton, Pequannock, and Saddle Rivers.

Officials were anticipating the Passaic River to crest by Saturday at 12.2 feet. That number would make this crest the third highest the river saw, exceeding last year’s crest of 11.97 on March 16.

The record high crest was set on October 10, 1903, when the River reached 17.50 feet. The second highest crest was 12.91 feet back on April 7, 1984.

{WCBS 880 NY/Matzav.com}


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