Public Works Expects Flooding

With rain coming down in Montville, Public Works Director Tom Mazzaccar0 says he “definitely” expects to see flooding in Montville.

“I would imagine Changebridge Road would be flooded,” he said.

With a flood watch in effect for Montville through Friday Morning, Mazzaccaro says he expects that Changebridge Road in Pine Brook, along with the areas near Riverside Drive, Montgomery Avenue, Clifford Drive and Willard Avenue will see some flooding.

“We’ll block off the roads, put detour signs up and wait for the rain to stop,” he said. “I imagine residents will have to find other ways around.”

The flooding, Mazzaccaro said, would be a result of overflow from the nearby Boonton Reservoir.

“In the Spring, when we have a lot of rain, the reservoir gets filled and everything spills over,” he said. “If the rain comes down five inches in August and the reservoir is down 10 feet, it can be contained. This time, because of all the snow and rain, water is coming from the Rockaway River water shed and coming right back down the river.”

The National Weather services is predicting rain to last through Thursday night into Friday morning, when the flood watch is expected to be lifted. In the mean time, Mazzaccaro advises residents to keep an eye on the weather.

“Be prepaired and watch the rain,” he said. “It has never gone up to the point where you need a boat, but [in trouble spots], water might come into a basement.”

As of 1 p.m., the township has not announced any new road closures.