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Reader Blasts Turf Choice

RHSBridgeflood_theridgewoodblog

“There are better choices for our fields than artificial turf made of plastic and crumb rubber. 90 percent of pro players in all sports prefer grass to turf for a variety of reasons. Our fields are in active flood plains. We can’t get warranties on the stuff because of that fact. There are new grass blends that are pest and drought resistant and when the fields flood on an artificial turf field like the ones the BOE has installed and now again at Stevens, the toxins go into our water ways, the fields harden , often need extensive repairs and the cost of disposing of it is around 100,000 dollars per field and it sits in the land fills for ever as it is not biodegradable.”

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National Weather Service Has Issued A Flood Advisory

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file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The National Weather Service in Upton NY has issued a * Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory for Poor Drainage Areas for… Hudson County in northeastern New Jersey… Passaic County in northeastern New Jersey… Union County in northeastern New Jersey… Bergen County in northeastern New Jersey… Essex County in northeastern New Jersey… * Until 800 AM EDT. *

At 635 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to an area of thunderstorms. This will cause urban and small stream flooding. Overflowing poor drainage areas will result in minor flooding in the advisory area. Up to one inch of rain has already fallen, with an additional half inch likely in areas. * Some locations that will experience flooding include… Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Passaic, Bayonne, Wayne, Hoboken, Plainfield, Bloomfield, Hackensack, Linden, Orange, Bergenfield and Paramus.

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Flood Plains In The Village Of Ridgewood

VillageHall_floods_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

October 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Village Of Ridgewood has a number of streams with a flood plain associated with it, Ho-Ho-Kus BrookSaddle RiverGoffle BrookDiamond Brook, and SproutBrook a nondelineated stream behind Gateway Road.

These streams are limited in capacity and tend to exceed there banks during heavy rain falls similiar to Tropical Storm Floyd on September 16, 1999 and Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011 (both of which can be considered a 100 year flood event).  Additionally, the Nor’easter on April 15, 2007 can be considered a 20 year storm event.

As each storm event varies in duration and inches of rainfall, flow varies through each section of the stream dependant on flow restrictions ie, bridges, culverts, dams and weirs. Preventitive maintenance to keep these areas clear is the Village’s primary goal in keeping flooding to the minimum.

Flood information for the Village is available in the Engineering Division Office. Flood maps from FEMA and the New Jersey Department Of Environmental Protection are available. Documentation from FEMA is available stating the property and/or structure is located in the floodplain.


Flood Insurance

The Village of Ridgewood participates in the Community Rating System (CRS) and has a rating of Class 7, which is administered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Because we participate in the CRS program, anyone in the Village of Ridgewood can purchase flood insurance. Please note that standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover damage from floods. Most homeowner’s who have paid off their homes do not continue the flood insurance as required by most mortgage companies. Here are some common Myths and Facts about the National Flood Insurance Program.


Flood Plain Resources

Bergen County Preliminary Flood Map – These are the proposed flood maps for 2017.
Map of Ridgewood Homes in the Flood Plain circa 2006 – link to follow
USGS Saddle River Flood Gauge
USGS HoHoKus Brook Flood Gauge

Community Outreach Resources

Annual Letter to Residents in the Flood Plain 2016
Annual Letter to Realtors 2016
Repetitive Loss Outreach Letter 2016
Flood Plain Management Plan
Flood Plain Management Plan 2015 Annual Report
Elevation Certificates for Homes in the Flood Fringe – link to follow
Open Space Lands within the Flood Plain – link to follow


NEW!!! Hurricane Sandy Mitigation Assessment Team Report 
FEMA P-942, Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey and New York
FEMA Building Science & Resources


Flood Plain Regulations

NJDEP – NEW 2016 Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules N.J.A.C.7:13
NJDEP – Division of Land Use Regulation
E-Code for Village of Ridgewood, NJ
International Residential Code 2015, New Jersey Edition – See section R322 on page 59



Links

FEMA
FEMA Flood Guidance Manuals
Flood Insurance: Top 10 Things Every Homeowner Should Know
FEMA – What to do before, during and after
FEMA Fact Sheet – Cleaning Flooded Buildings
FEMA Map Service Center
Floodsmart.gov – Facts & Statistics
National Weather Service
American Red Cross
Bergen County Office of Emergency Management