WESTWOOD—The borough’s Office of Emergency Management has knocked out its after-action meeting following the destruction wrought by Tropical Depression Ida Sept. 1 and into Sept. 2, and then the DPW teamed up with Westphal Waste Services to assist the clean-up in local flood areas.
That’s according to Mayor Ray Arroyo, apprising residents that Westphal, in tandem with six DPW workers, went through the flood areas twice on Sept. 2, filling five 31-yard compactor trucks, and two 30-yard Dumpsters.
“Rather than drop Dumpsters that residents had to walk to and fill, this approach provided manpower to fill the hoppers at the curbline of each property, while compaction maximizes the amount of materials carted away:
Convenience combined with efficiency,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo told Pascack Press that flooding inundated several floodprone areas, including Nugent, Harding, and Steuben avenues.
The WWVFD deployed its rescue boat, bringing residents in those areas safely to higher ground.
This residential area is behind KMart Plaza, in the shopping center zone, which also was badly flooded and was closed to the public on Thursday.
During the worst of the event, Arroyo said, some 4 feet of water swamped lower parts of the property abutting the railroad tracks at Lake Street, in the rear of the property, as well as along the brook at the Hillsdale end.
“WWPD had to close both points of entry to the plaza, as they were impassable,” he said.
The mayor said the water rose up against the tracks, washing away some of the bank’s reinforcing materials. NJT suspended service on Thursday morning. Several Broadway merchants opposite the tracks in Limited Business 1 Zone were also flooded.”
Arroyo tipped his hat to Mike Westphal, DPW Superintendent Rick Woods, and Borough Administrator Durene Ayer for implementing the Westphal/DPW debris removal plan.
He lauded Police Chief Michael Pontillo, Construction Official Armand Marini, and Woods for advocating the approach.
“Truly a team effort. Another example of how pulling together — not apart — is the Westwood way,” he said.
The damage appeared grim after several flood prone areas of town were impacted badly overnight as the brook rose rapidly. Nearby residents had to be evacuated — and some motorists had to be pulled from vehicles, Arroyo said.
In a message to residents, Arroyo said, “Life safety is our first priority. Assessing and securing utilities is part of that. The borough will do all that it can to assist you while we are working through this event.”
Against and after the barrage of the storm, he said the Community Center was open for those who needed it and urged all to turn to the borough and police websites for periodic updates. Reverse 911 messages were used to communicate as necessary.
Arroyo said the storm “swept through the area with an intensity that was not forecasted, but one we were thankfully equipped to handle.”
Reports showed Westwood took an average of 6 inches of rainfall in the ferocity.
Around 11:15 p.m. on Sept. 1 Pascack Brook exceeded 4.5 feet. Many streets were impassable in Westwood, Hillsdale, River Vale, and nearby municipalities.
Arroyo said that in Westwood, five homes, involving 18 residents, were evacuated by boat, “with Westwood Volunteer Fire Department and Westwood Police Department working together seamlessly.”
He said many more residences were flooded and residents were forced to bail out basements and seek shelter elsewhere.
In addition to flooded homes in Westwood, Brookside Park was inundated, and many businesses along Broadway — including Westwood Plaza/Kmart — took on water, he said.
“I spoke with an exhausted WFD Chief Michael Griffin. His Department was out in force serving our Westwood residents and rendering mutual aid to fire departments in surrounding municipalities,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo reported that “In the past 24 hours, WPD answered approximately 50 calls including five disabled vehicles in water, where the driver had to be pulled from the vehicle, and three mutual aid calls in Emerson where the WFD boat was used to rescue residents — including assisting with water rescue of 10 people from a passenger van on Forest Avenue.”
He said more than 250 cones were used to shut roads and reroute traffic from danger.
At press time, Mupquapsink Brook and Bogert’s Pond were well receding and cleanup was continuing across town, and the region, though a new storm was brewing.
Arroyo noted PSEG continues to service local residents whose meters were underwater and required change-outs.
“Thank you to the many dozens of borough employees, dedicated volunteers, and members of the OEM who worked throughout the night and day — while their own families, homes, or businesses were also impacted by the very same storm and dangers — to protect lives and property in Westwood,” he said.
Arroyo added, “Having been out on the roads with our chief of police during this emergency, seeing our WPD, WFD, DPW working professionally and compassionately, I assure you Westwood could not be in better hands.”
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in designated counties, such as Bergen County, can begin applying for assistance by registering at DisasterAssistance.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 operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
Arroyo said, “If you or someone you know needs assistance, please contact the office of Sen. Holly Schepisi (R-River Vale) at SenSchepisi@njleg.org.
For general questions in the Borough of Westwood, call Borough Hall at (201) 664-7100 ext. 150.
