Flooding Problems

[Ed Rosenberg]

"Some recent flooding problems in Wildwood Crest will be addressed this week. We spoke with Commissioner Don Cabrera, who says a public meeting will be held on Wednesday evening to talk about some recent flooding problems in the Crest.

Cabrera told our Scott Wahl that residents complained loudly about flooding in the Crest following a storm in early August, 2004, that resulted in flooding on both the east side and west side of town.

Cabrera admits that any fix to the flooding problems in Wildwood Crest will be very costly."

www.ask4direct.com/InfoRead.asp?id=WCZT&InfoID=125314

This is a good idea.

People are investing too much money on the island for the Wildwoods to ignore this long time problem which seems to be growing worse. A year or so ago, I went into town for a doctor's appointment. I was very much surprised to find Pacific Avenue, near the high school, flooded. I have been around for nearly 50 years, and I do not recall ever seeing water in that area. The exception being in '62, of course, when I assume all of Pacific Avenue was submerged.

As a sidebar...

Global warming, apparently, is upon us. I believe the Wildwoods and all of our shore communities should be aware of this situation since they will be among the first and, eventually, the most affected. The people and leaders within these communities, by the way, should really begin to understand that the worst case scenario of this event will be catastrophic.

[wildre]

Ed,
Flooding issues have always been a problem for the Island. I remember last year(early last summer I think)Pacific Ave was flooded after a rain, I think they even had film of it on the news.
The summer before last I couldn't get back to NWW after going to the Crest Library. From New Jersey Ave to the Bay there were several feet of water on all the side streets. I never realized the Crest had a flooding problem till I saw that article you posted.
It may be related to all the building going on? Taking the grassy areas, filling them in with cement, where's
the water to go. I've notice in NWW, where it never flooded before it floods now around some of the new condos, that's one of the highest points on the Island.
Another thing to keep an eye on with this new development.
I wonder if their buying Flood Insurance?
re

[DooWopper]

I remember mid July last year we were staying down in one of Wildwoods most southern hotels. There was a severe thunderstorm warning (and Tornado Watch) Being on the 4th. floor I wasent to crazy about the huge gusts of Wind. However, it poured like heck, and after looking out the back window I could see the entire street under a few inches of water. The water was gone within an hour after the storm stopped though.

[FlyinGN]

a few junes ago we saw a downpour flood the street in what seemed like seconds. Its amazing how FAST the street flood there..

Frank

[Ed Rosenberg]

wildre said:

It may be related to all the building going on? Taking the grassy areas, filling them in with cement, where's
the water to go.

This is a concern over here in Middle Township, too. Rio Grande is being leveled and blacktopped. I hope planning for drainage is adequate or else we may be in for a bit of a surprise in a couple of years if a large tropical storm or hurricane passes by.

Same thing in the Wildwoods.

If thunderstorms are starting to create problems, imagine what one of these storms might do...or even worse, perhaps...a potent Nor'Easter that lasts for a couple of days.

If you want to play...you got to pay. Payment here may come in upgrading the storm drainage system throughout the Wildwoods.

I don't know whether development is worth the aggravation or damage it does to our local quality of life and our natural surroundings. In Middle, we have seen growth in ratables for some time.

But...

Our taxes continue to rise. Traffic throughout the year has increased...along with what appears to be a dramatic increase in accidents. The police are grumbling about the inadequacies of the force. We are at war with Nature...as I mentioned, totally clearing lots left and right.

Man, oh man, I just don't know.

As far as the island is concerned, I remember wandering through the dunes and the virgin, undeveloped area of southern Wildwood Crest as a young boy. The asthetic, natural beauty of this area remains in memory...but it is gone.

Gone.

I don't know.

[AnthonyV]

This problem is not exclusive to just the Wildwoods but anywhere along the Jersey Hore where commmunities are built on stretches of barrier islands or barrier strips.

However, I do agree that WC floods way quicker now than I recall it doing in the past - especially one storm that hit the island one night in August 2003! I was shocked how fast it (flooding) happened especially down near Rochester Ave near Pier 6600 and The Grand when I was coming back from Wawa.

Perhaps I'm just getting to be older than my 43 years of age indicate... But the streets around there do flood really FAST!

[DooWopper]

Yeah it floods real quick down in that end, the flooding I spoke of was near the Reges, which is also very close to the Pier 6600.

[JIMD]

Memorial day weekend 1997 I went over to The Wharf for a late nite meal and drinks, it rained very hard for about 2 hours. Nobody in the restaurant said anything to us and as I was leaving I drove through a huge puddle (more like a lake ) on the way back to Rio. I made it back to the Crusader that night but the next day when i was leaving the car stalled before making it to the Parkway, $2K in repairs and another day in WW.

Needless to say that was my last time at The Wharf.

[FlyinGN]

your engine injested some water and hydrolocked. Common.. Big damage some times too..

Frank