Westville Mayor Russell Welsh and Borough Council members heard complaints and received a petition and flooding pictures from residents during its meeting January 9.
As a result of the combination of rain, wind and high tides flooding that occurred late on the night of December 20 and throughout the day on December 21, many basement homes were inundated with water causing much damage to resident’s properties.
Mr. and Mrs. Oerlemans, owners of property on Woodbine Avenue, said they had contacted legislators regarding the water situation.
NJ State Senator Donald Norcross (D-5) and his aides were in attendance and he promised that he will look into the situation.
Administrator William Bittner had also contacted U.S. Congressman Robert Andrews (D-1) and Norcross regarding the unprecedented flood waters.
“We will reach out to the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers and request a study in the area near Lake Martha and the Delaware River and ask them to correct any contributing factors,” Senator Norcross said.
The senator has been vocal several times regarding flooding at the Brooklawn Circle also.
“I am obviously facing the same issue. We have had 3 1/2 feet of water on my front door,” he said.
“The other day in Trenton, the governor did a great job talking about Hurricane Sandy. Our ‘Sandy’ came on the 21st and was just as serious in a way but had a different name,” Senator Norcross said.
One parcel of information came out during the discussion concerned the owner of Lake Martha. It is not Westville, but is owned by West Deptford.
Plans will be made to attend a meeting in that town to bring up the subject of flooding in
the Westville municipality.
Flooding not only occurred on Woodbine Avenue, but also on Sixth Avenue and up to Summit Avenue according to the residents.
During the same storm, areas in front of the Westville Diner, which is located on a state road, and on Broadway in front of the Post Office were flooded up to five feet and were impassable.
“Who would want to buy a home in our area?” one resident asked.
“We have lost carpeting, air conditioners, heaters, cars for the second time, moldy basements etc., most of which is not covered by flood insurance,” were some of the complaints.
Donna Domino, Director of Public Works, spoke also as a resident.
“I live on Woodbine Avenue. I have lost several cars in the floods in the past. The problem is with the volume of the water and the high tides. Paving Woodbine Avenue has nothing to do with the flooding,” she added.
Norcross said government grants may be available for submission by the borough.
Councilman William Packer said the Timber Creek almost came over the banks for the first time.
“We positively need a study for the correction of the problem. Most of the flooding has occurred with dumping by the Army Corps of Engineers into the Delaware River and behind the produce stand location on the circle, especially with debris from the GAF site in Gloucester City,” he said.
Residents can sign up for special alerts through the Westville website, Bittner said.
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CNB Archives January 2013Flooding in Westville Has Residents Worried
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
By Sara Martino
Gloucester City News
Westville Mayor Russell Welsh and Borough Council members heard complaints and received a petition and flooding pictures from residents during its meeting January 9.
As a result of the combination of rain, wind and high tides flooding that occurred late on the night of December 20 and throughout the day on December 21, many basement homes were inundated with water causing much damage to resident’s properties.
Mr. and Mrs. Oerlemans, owners of property on Woodbine Avenue, said they had contacted legislators regarding the water situation.