The Millburn Office of Emergency Management issued a Flood Watch effective from 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, through late Tuesday night, warning residents to stay off flooded roads and prepare for possible flash flooding across the township.
The National Weather Service New York forecasts multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with average rainfall of 1 to 2 inches and isolated totals as high as 3 to 4 inches. Peak rainfall rates in the strongest storms could reach 2.5 inches per hour.
Weather Works, the township's on-call meteorology service, said the main organized storm activity will peak late Tuesday afternoon and evening, bringing the highest risk of torrential and repeated downpours, flash flooding, locally gusty winds, and an isolated tornado.
Most storm activity is forecast to diminish by midnight. Wednesday, July 22, will be much drier with only a leftover shower chance, and high pressure with clear conditions is forecast Thursday through Saturday.
What the township has done
Crews have already cleaned catch basins, storm drains, pipes, and grates ahead of the storms, according to the OEM alert. Taylor Park Pond has been fully drained as a precaution. The Emergency Management Trailer, equipped with standby generators, is staged and ready to deploy for residents with disabilities and access and functional needs.
This is the second Flood Watch in four days. A separate watch was in effect Saturday, July 18, when forecasters warned of 4 to 6 inches of rain in a narrow corridor. At that time, the pond was still being drained; by Tuesday's alert, the work was complete.
What residents should do
The OEM urges residents not to walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and one foot of moving water can sweep away a vehicle.
Residents whose driveways are prone to flooding may move vehicles to higher ground using the second level of the parking garage at Essex Street and Lackawanna Place in Millburn.
A Flood Watch means conditions are favorable for flooding. If upgraded to a Flood Warning, flooding is occurring or imminent.
Emergency contacts
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Power outages: JCP&L at 1-800-544-4877
- Millburn Police (non-emergency): 973-564-7001
- Millburn Fire: 973-564-7035
- Millburn OEM: 973-564-1970
- Mountain Valley Emergency Communications Center: 908-263-7550
Residents can sign up for Millburn Alert, the township's emergency notification system.
