A homeowner on Landis Avenue has a "No Wake" sign that urges motorists not to speed through flooded streets.
By Donald Wittkowski
A large, hand-painted sign leaning against the garage door of a duplex at 3310 Landis Ave. in Sea Isle City includes just two words: “No Wake.”
It would seem to be an appeal to speeding boaters not to stir up waves along Sea Isle’s waterways. But actually, it is aimed at motorists traveling through the local streets.
During storms, careless drivers have been zipping through flooded neighborhoods – in the process, creating boat-like wakes of water that crash against garage doors and cause damage.
Now, City Councilman William Kehner wants the governing body to consider passing an ordinance that would prohibit drivers from kicking up destructive waves of water by designating “No Wake Zones” in flood-prone areas of town. He believes it should include penalties to give police enforcement power.
During a Council meeting Tuesday in Sea Isle, Kehner noted that North Wildwood introduced an ordinance on Nov. 20 to crack down on motorists who speed through flooded areas. North Wildwood’s governing body is expected to give the measure final approval on Dec. 18.
City Councilman William Kehner wants Sea Isle to consider a new law to prohibit motorists from speeding through flooded areas.
Kehner said North Wildwood’s ordinance should serve as a model for a similar law in Sea Isle, although he is not sure whether it should include the same strict penalties. North Wildwood’s proposed ordinance includes fines of up to $1,250 and a possible 90-day jail sentence, he said.
Ship Bottom in Ocean County is another seashore town that has an ordinance prohibiting motorists from causing wakes. Since it became law, there have been fewer complaints from Ship Bottom residents about the problem, suggesting that the ordinance is working, Kehner said.
In Sea Isle, some residents, like the one at 3310 Landis Ave., have taken matters into their own hands by posting “No Wake” signs in front of their homes in hopes of protecting their property. Private signs are not backed up by any laws or enforcement action. They are more of an appeal to common courtesy.
Some homeowners intentionally leave their garage doors open several inches to lessen the impact of waves of water crashing against their property.
Creating “No Wake Zones” is just one part of a comprehensive strategy that Sea Isle officials are discussing to protect homeowners and businesses from flooding. A newly released flooding study conducted by Sea Isle’s engineer recommends the construction of dikes, pumping stations and drainage improvements to reduce stormwater.
During Tuesday’s meeting, City Business Administrator George Savastano assured the Council members and the public that flood mitigation remains one of Sea Isle’s highest priorities, if not the highest priority.
“It’s constantly on our radar,” he said.
Savastano noted that Sea Isle is also part of a regional study to find ways to reduce flooding along the Jersey Shore’s back bays from Monmouth to Cape May counties.
Representatives of Sea Isle, Upper Township and Ocean City will meet privately next week with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to discuss flooding problems they have in common. The meeting will focus on flood-control projects that all three neighboring towns can do “sooner than later,” Savastano said.
In the meantime, Kehner believes the “No Wake Zones” could be quickly put into place in Sea Isle through a new ordinance.
“As soon as we can get it ready,” he said of the timetable.
Sea Isle will consider creating "No Wake Zones" to protect homes from waves of water kicked up by traffic.
