Flood Barrier USA

New Jersey Communities Struggle With Slow Flood‑Control Progress

Author: Donna Conneely

Residents and business owners in New Jersey’s Bergen County have formed a special committee to seek solutions to the area’s worsening flooding problems. It has been established that the 70 municipalities located in Bergen County have been receiving 50% more rain than normal in recent years, and the communities have been faced with repeated flooding. Now, exasperated residents are demanding answers as to why flood control measures are proceeding at such a slow pace.

Peak level flooding in New Jersey caused by Hurricane Irene in August, 2011

As is often the case, there are many factors causing the escalation of flooding events. Most importantly, the huge increase of precipitation is the driving force behind the problem. The heavy rains have completely saturated the ground, clogged waterways with debris and silt, and over-filled reservoirs. Without some type of intervention, there is simply nowhere for the water to go.

Massive development in the area has also contributed to the problem. With new construction comes an increase in impermeable surfaces such as buildings, streets, driveways, and patios. These surfaces do not absorb water, but deflect it onto shrinking absorbent green zones, which are unable to soak up all the water. Some residents have proposed a moratorium on accepting new residents until the flooding issues can be alleviated.

Many concerned residents are frustrated about the fact that local communities are not able to dredge waterways or even remove branches and debris due to federal environmental laws.  A recent bill intended to provide $10 million to clear up blocked waterways was vetoed by New Jersey Governor Christie in spite of having been passed by both houses.

Meanwhile, individuals are being encouraged to work on improvements that can help protect their homes. These include changing the slope of land surrounding the house, installing gutters that can better channel large amounts of water away from the foundation, and even adding plants and trees that can absorb lots of water. Of course, water that is directed away from one house still has to go somewhere, and in densely-populated New Jersey, the re-directed water will likely affect someone else.

Because the increase in precipitation is likely to be permanent, long-term solutions will be necessary in New Jersey and many other states across the nation. Infrastructural changes designed to mitigate flooding and redirect flood-waters must be carefully planned and phased into place as soon as funding permits. Because so many states and cities across the US are struggling, these improvements will by necessity come slowly.

Individual home and business owners will be forced to take steps to protect their buildings and assets while the slow wheels of government crank into action. The expense of this protection, however, will pay for itself many times over in the event of a huge flood, especially in the case of large installations such as hospitals, schools, and factories. With no signs that the heavy rainfall will be reversed, now is the time to investigate permanent and effective flood protection- such as flood barriers and other types of protection.

Source: NorthJersey.com

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012 at 2:17 pm and is filed under Flood Protection. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.