The second in NJ21st’s series examining whether towns hit by repeated floods have followed through on the commitments they made in the Union County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Much like Scotch Plains, Fanwood has dealt with flooding issues, especially in low-lying areas like Westfield Road and North Ave.

Fanwood provided a Drainage Systems Study, prepared in October 2023, in response to our OPRA request

The report is an impressive analysis that maps out the borough’s flood problem, outlines mitigation strategies, and includes planning, cost estimates, and an analysis of how their stormwater infrastructure is failing, as well as remediation strategies.

The 54-page document identifies key intersections that routinely flood for more than two hours during heavy rain. Westfield Road at Pleasant Avenue, North Avenue at Tillotson Road, and Midway Avenue near Morse and North are all included. The conclusion? Pipes are undersized, slopes are too shallow, and the system as a whole is over capacity — in some cases by more than 300 percent. Ponding and overtopping are common, and they are exacerbated by constraints downstream in Scotch Plains.

Engineers evaluated the system in three zones and proposed underground stormwater detention basins at the high school, Brunner Elementary, and Woodside Chapel, as well as an above-ground basin near North Avenue. Flood reduction estimates (based on modeling) range from 70 to 95 percent, depending on location—the price tag: about $7.5 million.

No construction appears evidenced in the material we received. Still, Fanwood has done the legwork and identified what it will take to reduce flooding.

The study connects to mitigation actions Fanwood committed to in the Union County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

It’s a young plan. Finalized in October 2023, it’s only about a year and a half old. That means residents still have time — and every reason — to ask their elected officials what comes next.

Plainfield is the last town left from our first round of OPRA requests on this issue – to date we have not gotten any information back.  We followed up yesterday with an email.  We will get the documents eventually so hang tight.

Source Document

Related Articles:

Scotch Plains Meets State Stormwater Rules, Broader Flood Strategy Seems Seems Unclear

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