Hurricane Irene: Bloomingdale Prepares for Flooding

The (DPW) began preparing as early as Wednesday for potential flooding as a result of Hurricane Irene's potential landfall in New Jersey Sunday, according to Superintendent Al Gallagher.

"I've got my 'Road Clear' signs, 'Road Flooded' signs, barricades-we are ready to go," he said.

Gallagher said the department has been preparing all week for the storm, which was labeled a Category Three hurricane by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service Thursday morning.

"We're getting our chainsaws and everything checked out if trees get knocked down," said Gallagher, who added that the borough's mechanic replaced the blades on the borough's chainsaws and other machinery, including a chipper, so that the department is well-prepared to clear the roadways.

In recent years, Bloomingdale has experienced flooding after heavy rainfall. , Main Street had to be shut down due to flooding in business parking lots and onto the roadway.

Bloomingdale Mayor Jon Dunleavy said the borough is well-prepared for this weekend's storm event.

"The town is prepared for the hurricane on every level. We are coordinated with [Office of Emergency Management] OEM, the police department and DPW. We have arrangements with the Salvation Army Camp to house residents if evacuations are necessary. We have made arrangements if any animals need evacuation from [The Bloomingdale Animal Shelter] BASS," he said.

The mayor also said that the borough has contacted the governor's office to inquire about lowering the reservoirs at the Newark Watershed now so that they can handle the water from the hurricane as opposed to having to release additional water, which the mayor said would worsen Bloomingdale's flooding situation if additional water was released.

While the is typically not a flood area, Lt. John Schwartz said Morris County has already begun preparing the problematic areas on Kinnelon Road for the storm, including clearing the catch basins.

"Flooding is not generally an issue here, but our problem areas have been addressed by the county," he said.

Gallagher said this is not the first time a storm of this magnitude was expected in the area.

"They're projecting it can be as bad a Hurricane Floyd," he said.

He said the borough is expecting possible downed wires as a result of the storm, and that he will maintain contact with Butler Electric in the event that wires are damaged.

As a way for residents to remain safe, Gallagher advised those who do not need to travel to stay indoors.

"The main thing would be stay inside, you have time now to go out if you need to," he said.

The is encouraging residents to register with its SWIFTREACH 911 emergency notification system through the borough's website to receive emergency information during the hurricane. After registering telephone numbers and email addresses, residents can receive alerts directly to their phones.