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Last Updated:
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
HUNTERDON COUNTY
FLOOD ALERT -
DELAWARE RIVER
From Holland Township South to the City of Lambertville
Borough of Stockton, Mill Street
(See Additional Photos - updated 04/06/2005)
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| CURRENT
SITUATION REPORT: |
President Declares Major Disaster To Aid New Jersey Flood Victims
Release Date: April 18, 2005
Release Number: HQ-05-074
» More Information on New Jersey Severe Storms and Flooding
» Federal Aid Programs For New Jersey Disaster Recovery
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that President Bush has declared a major disaster for New Jersey, opening the way for the use of federal funds to help meet the recovery needs of families and businesses victimized by floods that struck the state earlier this month.
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, said the President took the action following a review of FEMA’s analysis of the state’s request for federal relief. The declaration covers damage to private property from severe storms and flooding that occurred over the period of April 1-3.
After the declaration, Brown designated the following nine counties eligible for federal aid to affected residents and business owners: Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren.
The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
In addition, Brown said federal funds will be available to the state on a cost-shared basis for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks. He indicated that additional designations may be made later if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Peter J. Martinasco of FEMA was named by Brown to coordinate federal recovery operations. Martinasco said that affected residents and business owners in the designated counties can begin the disaster application process by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will be available starting tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, work with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security On March 1, 2003.
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PRESS RELEASE Monday - April 04, 2005 1:15pm
Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management is continuing to work with municipalities during the flooding situation along the Delaware River. This latest round of flooding has affected parts of Holland Township, Milford Borough, Alexandria Township, Frenchtown Borough, Kingwood Township, Delaware Township, Stockton Borough and the City of Lambertville.
Flood levels are being reported in excess of those experienced during the September 2004 event.
Local efforts continue in each municipality. Conditions are expected to continue until after the river has crested.
Residents are reminded to evacuate affected areas. Stay clear of running waterways due to strong currents. Power and other utility disruptions are expected. Please contact your utilities directly when experiencing outages. 9-1-1 should be used for emergencies. Non-emergency requests should be made to your local Office of Emergency Management.
Please use caution when traveling near affected areas due to water run off and other debris that may be deposited on roadways.
Hunterdon County’s Emergency Management will continue to monitor conditions and will be assisting each affected municipality throughout the day. Damage assessments are beginning to be assembled.
The number of affected residents throughout Hunterdon County is approximately 1100 at the time of this release.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Declaration of a State of Emergency (pdf file)
ACTUAL FLOOD LEVELS (from www.noaa.gov) (updated 04/05/2005 at 9:30am)
Location |
Observed Stage |
Forecasted Stage |
Day/Time |
Crested Level |
| Milford/Reigelsville |
22.0 |
25.51 |
Tuesday/3:00am |
33.75 |
| Frenchtown |
16.0 |
17.40 |
Tuesday/3:00am |
22.55 |
| Kingwood |
21.0 |
MISSING |
Tuesday/3:00am |
32.35 |
| Stockton |
18.0 |
20.20 |
Tuesday/3:00am |
26.75 |
| Lambertville/New Hope |
13.0 |
14.70 |
Tuesday/3:00am |
19.17 |
SHELTERS
A shelter in Kingwood Township has been established for those who might have a need. It is located at the Kingwood Township Firehouse on Route
519.
EVACUATIONS
Effected Areas have been requested by their Local OEM's to evacuate. Contact the municipal OEM officers for additional information.
SUNDAY, APRIL 03, 2005 1800 hours:
Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management is continuing to work with the Delaware River Communities during the flooding situation along the Delaware River. This latest round of flooding has affected all Holland Township, Milford Borough, Alexandria Township, Frenchtown Borough, Kingwood Township, Delaware Township, Stockton Borough and the City of Lambertville. Levels that are being experienced are like those of the September 2005 flooding. Local Emergency Management officials with the assistance of local emergency responders have been quick to request affected residents to evacuate. A shelter in Kingwood Township is established for those who might have a need. Some families have opted to stay with family or friends.
Local efforts continue in each municipality. Conditions are expected to continue worsening until the early morning hours. The National Weather Service has placed these areas under Flood Warning.
Residents are reminded to evacuate affected areas. Stay clear of running waterways due to strong currents. Power and utility disruptions are expected. Please contact your utility companies directly when experiencing outages. 9-1-1 should be used for EMERGENCIES ONLY. Non-emergency requests should be made to your local Office of Emergency Management.
Please use caution when traveling near affected areas due to water run off and other debris that might be deposited on public roadways.
Hunterdon county Emergency Management will be monitoring conditions and assisting each affected municipality throughout the evening. Damage assessment should be begin during the daytime Monday. The number of residences affected throughout Hunterdon County is approximate 200 at the time of this release.
Any additional information forthcoming will be available on our County Website at www.co.hunterdon.nj.us. For Red Cross related information will also be posted on the Central Chapter of the Red Cross' Website at: www.njredcross.org
Frank J. Fuzo, Freeholder/Public Information Office
908-788-1196
SATURDAY,
APRIL 02, 2005
The Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management continues to monitor the flooding events throughout the County.
National Weather Service Mount Holly has issued a Flood Warning for the Delaware River through early Monday morning. Flood amounts could be significant.
All information received so far has been forwarded the Municipal Offices of Emergency Management for the towns bordering the Delaware River.
The Hunterdon County Office of Emergency Management is NOT open at this time. No additional press releases will be available until Sunday, April 3, 2005.
The Red
Cross related information will also be posted on the Central Chapter of the
Red Cross' Website at: www.njredcross.org
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HELPFUL INFORMATION FROM THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
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