Sea Isle City Considers Island-Wide Flood Warning System

By Donald Wittkowski Sea Isle City, a low-lying barrier island that struggles with flooding even during moderate storms, is considering an early warning system that would be unprecedented in New Jersey. Designed to warn of flooding before it actually occurs, the proposed system would include more than 50 flashing roadway signs scattered throughout town in the most vulnerable neighborhoods. “We really think it’s something that will work,” City Business Administrator George Savastano said. During a presentation on the warning system Tuesday at a City Council meeting, a contractor described what would be a network of 56 yellow “Road Flooded When Flashing” signs powered by highly visible LED lighting. “These signs are very, very bright. They’re visible from up to two miles away,” said Robert Green, operations manager for Garden State Highway Products Inc., of Millville, N.J. Green noted that the signs are so bright, that the city should prepare for complaints from homeowners who would live near them. “It’s a little bit blinding,” he said. A screenshot from the presentation to City Council summarizes some of the benefits of the flood warning system. The signs would be placed in five of the most flood-prone areas in town. Using an internet-based activation system, they would be remotely controlled by the Sea Isle Police Department at City Hall. City officials explained that the signs would be turned on before flooding actually strikes to give residents and visitors as much advanced warning as possible based on storm conditions and the weather forecast. “We’re talking about the entire town that would be basically covered,” Police Chief Tom McQuillen told the Council members. McQuillen said the warning system would be the largest of its type for any municipality in New Jersey. The cost would be $160,000. “Where else in the state has a system that is this big?” he said. One major advantage of the system would be to warn people to move their cars to higher ground before flooding hits. It would also help them avoid driving into areas swamped by storm water, McQuillen noted. “If we can prevent that or reduce that, that would be our target,” he said of the city helping to prevent cars from being destroyed. Police Chief Tom McQuillen says Sea Isle's proposed flood warning system would be the largest of its kind in New Jersey. Currently, the warning system is only a proposal by the police department and Mayor Leonard Desiderio’s administration. Funding for the project would need City Council approval. “We can warn everyone in one fell swoop. That’s the logic of this,” Savastano said. Alluding to the price tag and number of warning signs, Savastano acknowledged to Council that the project is “somewhat ambitious.” In its never-ending fight against flooding, Sea Isle has replenished its beaches, fortified its dunes, upgraded its drainage systems and rebuilt its roads. “So, what is the problem here? You guys have massive flood concerns,” Green said during his presentation. The city is in the midst of a comprehensive study that will include an analysis of long-term measures to help reduce flooding, including the possibility of a series of pumping stations. Sea Isle is preparing to build its very first pumping station this year in a flood-prone neighborhood on 38th Street on the bay side. Some areas of Sea Isle are swamped with flooding even during moderate storms. If the proposed warning system is implemented, the flashing roadway signs would be placed in the following flood-prone areas:

• Landis Avenue between Second and 19th streets.
• Landis Avenue between 29th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, and Landis between JFK Boulevard and 38th Street.
• Central Avenue from JFK Boulevard to 52nd Street.
• Sounds Avenue, and Central Avenue from 56th to 63rd streets.
• And Landis Avenue between 67th and 82nd streets.