$4.7 million in federal funds to go toward flood prevention, mitigation in 4 Bergen towns

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-Wyckoff, and four local mayors announced over $4.7 million in federal investments for flood mitigation and prevention in Englewood, Emerson, Leonia and Tenafly during a press conference Monday.

Gottheimer was joined by Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes, Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna, Leonia Mayor Bill Ziegler and Emerson Mayor Danielle DiPaola for the announcement of future projects that will be completed with the help of this funding.

"These investments will help build climate resilient infrastructure to prevent flooding and avoid its disastrous effects in Englewood, Emerson, Leonia, and Tenafly. These new investments were signed into law just two days ago, on Saturday," said a press release from Gottheimer. "The more federal tax dollars clawed back to Northern New Jersey, the less pressure on town budgets and taxpayers."

Over the years, New Jersey has seen numerous floods, some of which were catastrophic, destroying homes, streets, small businesses, cars and lives. Whether it was a major storm like Hurricane Irene or a smaller storm with heavy rainfall, flooding is a major problem around New Jersey. Gottheimer called it New Jersey's most common natural disaster.

Just last week, North Jersey saw 2 to 3 inches of rain, which triggered multiple flood watches from the National Weather Service, raised rivers and creeks to flood stage, and caused urban and flash flooding around the region.

This federal funding aims to help some of the towns that need it most, through the flood prevention and mitigation measures.

Englewood stormwater runoff and flood prevention

One of the municipalities that will see benefits from this funding is Englewood, which the release said sits at the bottom of a large hill, allowing stormwater to collect and overflow.

Over $1.4 million of this funding will be put toward new infrastructure that will stabilize the banks of Overpeck Creek, prevent further erosion and maintain the amount of water that can safely flow through the creek.

Additionally, new basins will collect contaminants in the water with the goal of preventing them from spreading into the city and affecting those who live near the creek.

"With the money that is now being committed to us, we can now hire more people and deal with other challenges that we have in our city," Wildes said. "You can imagine the visual that we had in our city of cars that, when the water receded, were inverted on top of one another."

Emerson drainage overflow

In Emerson, a $959,000 grant will go toward installing additional drainage infrastructure and realigning piping in areas of town that are most affected by flooding. They include Dorchester Road, Vivian Avenue, and surrounding side streets.

"This is going to fix our hundred-year-old infrastructure in a section of town that is vitally important to over 100 residents. For that, we are very grateful," DiPaola said.

Leonia sewer project

Leonia's 100-year-old sewer system has damage that is exacerbated by flooding. When large amounts of rainwater enter the sewer system, it leads to overflows, backups and property damage.

Over $700,000 from this funding will go toward a sewer system infiltration inflow rehabilitation project, which will include pipe lining, manhole rehabilitation and pipe replacement, the press release said.

"Leonia, like so many other municipalities in this area, has a sewer system that was put in over 100 years ago ... every single year that goes by there are more leaks, cracks and breaks. This past year, our cost of sewer processing is $1 million a year. If we just get a 10 percent reduction, that's $100,000 a year back into the pockets of Leonia taxpayers," Ziegler said.

Tenafly brook clearing

Over the years, the Tenakill and Overpeck brooks have accumulated brush, natural plant growth, fallen trees and stumps that clog the streams and lead to overflow on a regular basis, the press release said.

Of this federal funding, $1.6 million will go toward cleaning up these two waterways to help mitigate stormwater.

"It's clear that we have to do more than just respond after a flood, and deal with the damage," Gottheimer said. "We have to take preemptive and proactive action to ensure our cities and towns are prepared to prevent the worst of the damage before it even occurs. Our flood-prone communities simply can't continue to live under the constant threat of dangers that will come with the next major storm."

The full press conference is available here.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Four Bergen NJ towns to receive federal funds for flooding