Flood Hazard
Know Your Flood Hazard
The Borough of Oakland, New Jersey is an 8.7 square mile suburban community in Bergen County, which is home to over 12,754 residents (2010 Census). The Ramapo River (FW2-NT) bisects the community, flowing from northeast to southwest. A total of 1.2 square miles of the Borough are in the FEMA 100-year (1%) flood zone (AE and A) as a result of river overbank flows.
The Borough and much of northern New Jersey has been impacted by a series of major flood events in 2007, 2010, and twice in 2011, including Hurricane Irene. Hurricane Irene was responsible for the flood of record on the Ramapo River and Pompton River, the combined flows of the Ramapo, Pequannock and Wanaque Rivers. Almost $5.8 million dollars have been paid to Repetitive Loss (RL) properties according to FEMA since 1984. Borough residents currently have 241 flood insurance policies in force and pay over three hundred and seventy thousand in flood insurance premiums. In order to ease the financial and flooding impacts to the residents, the Borough has begun rigorous floodplain management program with progressive floodplain planning, maintenance and public outreach.
Insure Your Property For Your Flood Hazard
Maintaining flood insurance coverage is strongly recommended, since homeowner insurance policies will not cover losses due to flooding. The NFIP offers flood insurance with rates set according to the date and type of construction of your home along with your building’s level of risk. Homes and buildings in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to have flood insurance. Homes and businesses located in moderate-to-low risk areas that have mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are typically not required to have flood insurance, but is highly recommended because many flood claims occur in moderate-to-low risk flood areas. Note that you have a 26% chance of experiencing a flood during the life of a 30-year mortgage. Don’t wait until it is too late, as there is a 30-day waiting period before coverage goes into effect.
For more information, visit the National Flood Insurance Program website.
Protecting Oakland Residents From The Flood Hazard
There is detailed information on what to do before, during and after a storm event from the NJ Office of Emergency Management.
Some key reminders are:
If a Flood is Likely in Your Area
- Listen to the radio or television for information.
- Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
If You Must Prepare to Evacuate
- Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
- Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
If You Have to Leave Your Home
- Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
- Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be swept away quickly.
- Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams, rivers or creeks, particularly during threatening conditions.
If You Have Children in Your Care
- Never allow them to enter moving water alone.
- Remind them that flood waters are not safe to play in and can make them very sick if consumed.
- Have a three-day supply of required medication on hand in a waterproof container.
- Remind them to avoid downed powerlines
Protect Your Property from the Hazard
The Borough of Oakland Construction Code Official, at (201) 337-1644, in coordination with the Borough Engineer, can make site visits to review flooding, drainage, and sewer problems, and provide one-on-one advice to property owners, in writing, when requested. The Building Department will provide property owners with elevation certificates upon request. Prior to any improvements to the property or before additional measures are taken to protect the property, please contact the Construction Code Official to obtain necessary permits. There are several ways to protect your building and personal property from flood-related damage now. Although there are options available to protect your property, all are not applicable to your property and are contingent upon permits being approved prior to the start of any project.
- Drainage Improvements: A low-cost method is simply re-grading property to direct water runoff away from lots or buildings. Deeper water may require additional protection or your may also consider the placement of temporary barriers to allow water flow and drainage.
- Wet Flood Proofing: Wet flood proofing a structure involves making uninhabited portions of the structure resistant to flood damage and allowing water to enter during flooding. Damage to a structure is reduced since water is allowed to enter and balances the hydrostatic pressure on both sides of the walls and floors.
- Dry Flood Proofing: Dry flood proofing involves sealing structures to prevent floodwaters from entering. A structure can be dry flood proofed using waterproof coatings or impermeable membranes to prevent seepage of floodwater through the walls, installing watertight shields over doors or windows, and installing sewer: backup prevention measures.
- Elevation: Elevating a structure consists of raising the lowest floor to or above the flood level. This can be done by elevating the entire structure, including the floor, or by leaving the structure in its existing position an,; constructing a new, elevated floor within the structure. The method used depends on the construction type foundation type, and flooding conditions.
Building Responsibly Following a Natural Disaster
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires that if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements to a building in the regulated floodplain equals or exceeds 50% of the building's market value, then the building must meet the same construction requirements as a new building. Please contact the Borough of Oakland Construction Code Official at (201) 337-1644 for more information, and review Chapter 14: Flood Damage Prevention of our Borough ordinances. Note that the improvements shall be cumulative.
Protect Natural Floodplain Functions
While often the center of negative attention during flood events, our floodplains can be a valuable resource. Floodplain left in an undeveloped, natural state can provide storage for floodwaters, which in turn minimizes future flood damage. They also provide habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities for community residents. The natural vegetation of floodplains also filters pollutants from storm water, in turn improving local water quality.
Storm water carries untreated water runoff directly into wetlands, creeks, and rivers, and impacts our natural environment. Improper disposal of waste, such as oil, paint, fertilizer, and pesticides, will pollute storm water runoff and destroy plants, endanger wildlife, and affect local drinking water sources. Please remember to properly store and dispose of oils, chemicals, antifreeze, and other toxic materials, and never dump waste materials into any storm drain or drainage ditch. Borough ordinances protect both streams and storm sewer systems from contaminants and litter.