Hillsdale, NJ Residents Blame United Water For Flood Damage Of Homes
HILLSDALE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Residents of Hillsdale, New Jersey are hoping for some relief from what they call the worst flooding they've seen in years. They claim water levels at a nearby reservoir may be contributing to their already soggy situation.
Helen O'Brian, who lives on Glendale Drive, said residents had only a short amount of time to react after flooding on June 23. While residents admit Hillsdale may be prone to flooding, they argued that the level of damage is something that can be prevented.
"It's terrifying for my children. My son is five and he keeps saying 'is our house going to float away?' O'Brian told CBS 2's Ann Mercogliano.
Some residents claim it is up to United Water to better maintain water levels at a nearby reservoir -- especially during a bad storm. They say the excess water inevitably winds up on streets and in homes.
"When it rains sometimes, my son will sometimes call and say 'should I stay at school?'...I try to reassure him that everything will be okay," Nancy Culhane said.
To protect their homes, neighbors have put everything -- including appliances -- on cinder blocks, but it doesn't always help.
Neighbors said their calls for help have gone unanswered.
"We've been working with several towns and we're trying to rectify the situation," said Sonja Clark, of United Water. "Our main concern is the safety of our dams, the integrity and supplying water for all our customers."
The water company said it purchased equipment and trained officials to help residents when the area floods.
Residents, meanwhile, have no choice but to sit and hope the next storm isn't the worst one yet.
Is The Water Company To Blame Or Is This A Consequence Of Living In A Flood-Prone Area? Share Your Thoughts In The Comments Section...
