Legislators ask state, feds for flood help

Pallone asks Army Corps to complete Poplar Brook project

Monmouth County was drenched by eight days of heavy rainfall, which flooded towns like Long Branch and other nearby communities.

“At the end of the eighth day, areas of Long Branch started flooding,” Lt. Detective Bruce Johantgen said Monday.

“We closed several roads ahead of time, but people who disregarded the barricades were stuck in their vehicles.

“There were about eight to 10 instances where we had to help people who were stuck in their cars on a flooded road,” Johantgen said.

Long Branch closed the Elberon trestle on Lincoln Avenue, parts of Joline Avenue, parts of Sixth Avenue, Florence Avenue, parts of Long Branch Avenue and all the roads surrounding Lake Takanassee.

“The roads were flooded on North and South Lake Drives (near Lake Takanassee) and several homes in the area were flooded,” Johantgen said. “The Office of Emergency Management went around that area in a truck and offered to evacuate those residents.

“A couple of residents did relocate, but on their own,” he said.

Long Branch was more fortunate than some towns that suffered more severe damage, according to Johantgen, who said the city is just experiencing the usual beach erosion after a heavy storm.

Assemblymen Steve Corodemus and Sean Kean both (R-11) sent a letter to acting Gov. Richard J. Codey requesting assistance from the state in dealing with the recent flooding in the 11th District.

On Friday, Codey declared New Jersey to be in a state of emergency due to the severe weather conditions, which included heavy rains, high winds and flooding.

Both Corodemus and Kean said that in addition to suffering property damage, many towns also incurred expenses for police, fire and other emergency personnel required to assist in evacuation and rescue efforts.

Ocean Township was no exception to the damage sustained by the unrelenting rain.

Major flooding on Friday led to the evacuation of 22 tenants in Ocean Township near the Poplar Brook. One area that was particularly affected was Poplar Village, a senior citizens’ retirement community. The tenants, who live in HUD-subsidized units, were evacuated and have been relocated to alternate housing. Their homes suffered serious damage, and it is unclear when they will be able to return, said Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. ((D-6), who visited the area on Sunday with Ocean Township officials.

As a result, Pallone has urged the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the construction of the Poplar Brook flood control project.

Pallone said that last week’s heavy rains caused a dramatic rise in the height of Poplar Brook and floodwaters came through a breach between a stone and earthen berm and a brick wall that combine to protect the area from lesser flooding.

The breach could not hold back flood waters caused by heavy rains over an eight-day period, he said.

Pallone said the Poplar Brook flood control project is intended to prevent flooding in the future by creating a basin upstream in Joe Palaia Township Park.

After the tour, Pallone said he sent a letter to Commander and Chief of Engineers for the Army Corps, Lieutenant General Carl A. Strock, requesting that the Corps immediately direct available resources to the prompt completion of the project.

Pallone also sent a letter to President George W. Bush asking that he immediately declare the state a federal disaster area and direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide any and all assistance to both county and municipal officials.

The congressman also toured other areas affected by the flooding in the vicinity of Deal Lake.

Corodemus and Kean wrote this to the governor:

“We thank you for declaring a state of emergency in our county and are asking that the state offer whatever assistance it can to the municipalities, business owners and homeowners affected by this flooding. We also would be willing to work with you to access any federal assistance that may be available to the affected towns and individual victims of this flooding.”

Corodemus and Kean continued, “In addition to any financial assistance the state can provide, we also ask that you join us in working toward legislative initiatives that can advance flood control projects not only in our district but statewide.”

—— Linda deNicola and

Christine Varno