Timely Response When Flood Damage Incidents Affect New Providence Properties

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

New Providence residents depend on the skilled experts at SERVPRO for restoration on their properties. Call right away, we are always available.

SERVPRO is Readily Accessible to New Providence Residents Affected by Flooding Incidents 

An incident that happened in 1759 gave New Providence its current name. Initially, the area was known as Turkey because of the large flocks of wild Turkeys that used to roam the area. At the time, the Presbyterian Church was the nerve center of the settlement. One day a crowded balcony at the church collapsed, but miraculously nobody was injured. The residents considered the outcome a divine act of providence, which gave the future town its current name. 

Currently, New Providence has a sparsely suburban feel with a population of over 12000. It is highly rated as friendly for families, with excellent public schools, a reasonable commute, plenty of outdoor activity areas, and the cost of living is not so high. There are several notable family restaurants and eateries in the area, including Italian restaurants such as Bellariva Pizzeria, Spanish Tavern of Mountainside, and Moe's Bistro for Mediterranean cuisine, among many other establishments. There are also farmers markets such as the Central Farmers Market located on Central Avenue, which ensure that residents have access to a wide range of fresh produce, sourced locally, nationally, and even imported, at very affordable prices.

Fun and Competition at the Swim Clubs

Swimming is another exciting way to spend time in New Providence since there are several swim clubs in the area. The history of swim clubs in the area is fascinating, especially considering the set up of the first community pool on Springfield Avenue in the early 1960s was fraught with challenges like lack of funds and opposition from some of the residents, even though it was a unique idea at the time. The New Providence Community Pool was the second one in the entire state. However, the project also had many supporters, including the mayor of the town, Frank LeBart. The budget for the construction was financed by individuals who co-signed for the loan or held bonds. By the time it was finished, over 900 families had signed up for yearly membership, which cost $35, making it an immediate success. 

Today there are several clubs in the area which cater to recreational and professional interests. The most renowned clubs include:

• Crestview Swim Club
• Clearwater Swim Club
• Berkeley Aquatic Club

Crestview and Clearwater clubs have a longstanding competitive feud that stretches back over 30 years. At the beginning of summer, the two clubs present their best swimmers aged 6 to 18 to compete in timed swim races. The winning club gets the bragging rights for the rest of the season. Apart from beating the other club members, participants also try to beat individual or club records. Crestview at one time had a 12-year streak of back-to-back wins. The events also offer a chance for parents to spend time at the pool cheering the participants, providing refreshments, or even raising money that the clubs need for various purchases, thus keeping them relevant as times change.

Flooding and Other Disruptions from Hurricanes

Despite the fun and laid back feel of the area, some natural disasters such as hurricanes tend to affect the area disrupting activities and causing damages through flooding and other problems. Some of the notable incidents of that nature include hurricane Irene and Sandy.

• Hurricane Irene hit the area on August 28, 2011 and was the first time a hurricane had made landfall in the state of New Jersey since 1903. It led to widespread flooding since it involved heavy precipitation, with at least 18 hours of continuous rainfall recorded. The incident left widespread damages to various properties. The New Providence library reportedly spent $23,000 even though the total flooding at the facility was less than 4 inches.
• Hurricane Sandy affected the area on October 26, 2012. Its high-speed winds of up to 75MPH toppled many trees in the area leading to power outages in many properties and road closures, which cut people off. Apart from the physical damages caused by the hurricane, it also affected social aspects of life, including rescheduling Halloween celebrations and cancellation of a meeting set by the chamber of commerce.

Apart from storms and other adverse weather, the rivers in the area also cause flooding at times. The Passaic River, which runs along the border of New Providence, floods periodically due to heavy precipitation, debris accumulation, and issues related to property development. One of the reasons cited as the stumbling block to managing flooding from the river is the distributed ownership of the land through which it passes. Municipalities own some areas, others belong to the county, and individual landowners hold other sections. Therefore, developing comprehensive flood management plans is a challenge.

How Does SERVPRO Help With Flood Damage Management In New Providence?

When a flooding incident happens in New Providence, many factors can affect the response plan. For instance, flooding caused by storms also includes other factors such as road closure and power outage, which delay mitigation actions, thus worsening the damages. SERVPRO restoration teams prepare to respond even under challenging circumstances, helping homeowners avoid the issues that develop due to a delayed response. 

Our customer care staff is reachable 24 hours a day. We help during the crucial early minutes of the incident when most distressed homeowners are confused and might not know which steps might be beneficial. Some of the steps that might help include:

• Turning off utilities such as power and gas at the mains
• Relocating movable items from lower sections of the property to minimize exposure to floodwaters
• Preparing for possible evacuation emergency supplies

Getting help when there is a significant flooding event can be a challenge since most people are occupied or cut off. SERVPRO crews step in at such times to fill the void. Our production trucks are pre-packed with the necessary resources, including protective clothing, to venture into flooded properties and useful utilities such as portable generators to serve as alternative power sources. Therefore, we set out immediately when requested to offer assistance.

SERVPRO of Western Union County is well equipped to handle flood damage challenges in New Providence, restoring homes to their preloss state.  Call us at (908) 791-9177 if your property is affected.