Emotional Residents Call On Basking Ridge To Address Flooding Issues Since Ida (2024)

"Do you know what it is like to be 17 and lose everything you have?" said Ridge High School senior Jessica Baker as she held back tears.

Posted Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 3:08 pm ET|Updated Thu, Nov 11, 2021 at 5:01 pm ET

Janet Baker of 31 Newell Drive and her 17-year-old daughter Jessica were especially passionate after Hurricane Ida floodwaters rushed into her home causing a 20-foot section of their home foundation to cave in.

"Not one of you came to my house to see what happened. Not one of you came personally to see any of my neighbors," said Janet Baker.

Baker and her family — which includes her daughter, husband and 91-year-old mother — have been homeless living at the Marriott hotel since the storm on Sept. 1.

Baker said she will be out of her home until New Year's due to the $280,000 worth of damage that occurred including her entire lower and second level of her home and losing three cars. A GoFundMe fundraiser site has been set up to help the family.

Baker's daughter Jessica also criticized the township police's response during the night of the storm.

"Do you know what it is like to be 17 and lose everything you have? Ok, I have nothing. I am a senior in high school, it's supposed to be the best year of your life and I have nothing," said Jessica as she held back tears. "I almost watched [my mom] die and no one came to help us. I watched out my window and saw the cops and no one came. I am 17 and I am never going to call the cops again because they don't help me, they don't help us. What's the point?"

Committeeman James Baldassare said the amount of rain that fell in such a short period of time caused Harrison Brook to flood and impacted emergency responders from getting down the roadway.

"I don't know what to say. The night that, that happened no one could get down to where you were. … My wife is a first responder I know everybody that was out there," said Baldassare.

Bernards Township Police Chief Michael Shimsky that with more than 7 inches of rain falling within a few hours the department "was inundated with numerous calls for motorists stranded in high water that were prioritized as necessitating immediate attention."

Shimsky said the department received reports of flooding to Newell Avenue and "police immediately responded to the area; however, it was determined to be unsafe to proceed through the floodwaters with police vehicles, fire truck or on foot."

Shimsky also personally went to Newell and saw the homes that were taking on water. Residents were advised to shelter in place on their second floor.

"As with any other major disaster, we will sit down for an after-action report and examine how we may do things better in the future. The Bernards Township police officers worked tirelessly and bravely through the night going from call to call, and I am extremely proud of each and every one of them for their efforts that evening. Again, thankfully no flood-related injuries were reported by any township resident or emergency services personnel," said Shimsky.

"The police department and the entire Township Committee and staff are deeply saddened by the devastation suffered by our residents who sustained flood damage and lost their homes and belongings. We are also mindful of the frustration homeowners are dealing with in the aftermath. We are thankful that nobody was seriously injured or killed.

Three other residents on Newell Drive also spoke up to express their concerns about the continued flooding on the street. Some mentioned having flooding on the street two weeks ago when five inches of rain fell.

In turn, residents said the flooding is causing a sewer to overflow with fecal matter and toilet paper onto residents' properties.

"I've been there for 15 years and it's never been this bad," said Dan Martoccia of 40 Newell Drive. "Newell Drive is a very big problem that you guys need to take seriously."

"I understand we are in a flood plain but that shouldn't be an excuse that things are getting worse. You need to put some urgency into this. I know you are working on solutions and that's wonderful. You can't use the excuse you are in a flood plain, so tough luck," said Mary O'Mara of 43 Newell Drive.

Mayor Janice Fields noted that the township is working with professionals including the engineer to find a solution to the problem.

"You may not think we are on top of this but we are top of this," said Fields. "I am passionate because I feel what you are going through and I want you to know that we have been working on this."

Committeeperson Joan Bannan expressed her sympathy to the residents and asked township professionals to come up with more solutions to avoid this issue in the future.

"I am sorry. We should have done better, we should have done better. Here is an opportunity not to make the same mistake again," said Bannan.

Baldassare concurred with Bannan acknowledging the township needs to do more.

"You do have my promise that I will find out a little more in the [Office of Emergency Management] area and what we can do and I will be a little more involved to see what we can do more specifically on Newell Drive and other affected areas… We can always do better," said Baldassare.

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