OAS Turns Into Voluntary Flood Shelter

The Cranford Police Department has ordered voluntary evacuations of the township's flood zones early Sunday, indicating that the Rahway River is likely to overflow the dikes in the early morning hours.

The American Red Cross is currently transforming Orange Avenue School into an emergency evacuation shelter. The crowd is light, with more expected to arrive as the night progresses.

Mayor Mark Smith visited the shelter shortly after midnight, indicating that township officials are monitoring the situation and are hoping for the best, while preparing for the worst. Information received by the township shows that Springfield, just upriver from Cranford, has been experiencing heavy flooding, which is of concern to township officials.

The police have been using SUVs to evacuate people from the flood zone. The water is currently not deep enough to send boats out. Front-end loaders from the Department of Public Works are also being prepared in order to allow emergency crews to readily access the flooded areas and evacuate residents.

An emergency command post has been set up at the intersection of Normandie Place and Claremont Place. County and township emergency officials are based at the command post and residents evacuated by front end loader will be taken there and will wait to be transported to Orange Avenue School.

The Rahway River is currently at 6.35 feet according to USGS river studies. NWS' flood level is 5.5 feet. It is decreasing. The Cranford Fire Department has requested additional personnel to work flood detail. The Cranford Department of Public Works is backed up with basement flooding and other similar calls.