Advisory
TOWNSHIP OEM UPDATE MARCH 22ND 2024. WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE, HEAVY RAINFALL PROJECTED.
The following is an update from the Cranford Office of Emergency Management (OEM) as of 03/22/2024 @ 11:30 AM:
The Township of Cranford and Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring a storm system entering our region tonight, March 22nd 2024 which is expected to carry through the day tomorrow, March 23rd, 2024.
CRANFORD’S LATEST FORECAST
Rainfall will begin this evening after 11:00 PM with heavier bands of rain beginning tomorrow morning, March 23rd 2024. Current forecasts indicate that the heaviest rate of rainfall is expected to descend upon Cranford between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. This storm has the potential to cause significant flash flooding of roadways during the aforementioned peak rainfall Saturday, with nuisance flooding near flood-prone areas adjacent to the river and small streams. Confidence in our area receiving rainfall totals that produce significant flooding remains moderate and there is the potential that we will experience these impacts for the remainder of the afternoon and into the early morning hours on Sunday, March 24th, 2024 when the river crests. As of today’s forecast, there is about 2.5 to 2.75 inches of rainfall expected, with the possibility of 3.5 inches to 4 inches of rain in total. As previously stated, heavy, steady rainfall can potentially impact our traditionally low-lying locations at certain points during this rainfall event, which is projected to last between 10 and 12 hours in total. Mitigating the effects of this storm system is the recent stretch of dry-weather leading up to this weekend’s inclement weather.
TOWNSHIP OF CRANFORD STORM PREPARATION
The Township’s Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services remain at a full complement of personnel, with the police auxiliary remaining on standby in cases of downed trees, downed power lines, and road closures. Our Water Rescue Unit will have additional personnel staffed during peak rainfall hours in which flash flooding is possible – mid-afternoon on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024. Barricades have been staged at various flash-flood-prone locations throughout the Township.
The Township has taken precautions, including opening river gates and deploying pumps, and has implemented storm response procedures within the public safety and public works departments. The Cranford DPW is prepared to respond to reports of downed trees blocking township roadways.
We can protect ourselves and our families with some common-sense preparedness measures.
WHAT RESIDENTS SHOULD DO
Residents in flood-prone areas should take common sense precautions and monitor conditions if flooding materializes. Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, as the National Weather Service will issue Flood Warnings if conditions materialize. All NWS warnings impacting Cranford will be automatically re-broadcast on NIXLE via email and social media (Facebook and Twitter) and are available on a variety of weather apps and via local news sources. NIXLE text messaging is used in life-threatening emergencies or urgent notifications only.
Recent rains will also result in elevated water tables, so groundwater flooding in basements, even outside of flood zones, remains a possibility. If you receive seepage in your basements or crawl spaces, residents should monitor what items need to be moved to higher locations within the residence.
PLEASE NEVER ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. If the heaviest rainfall rates occur over the Cranford area, significant roadway flooding may occur. Flood prone locations may become inundated with rain runoff. The most likely time for this will be during the midday through the evening hours of Saturday, March 23rd, 2024. Please do not attempt to drive through roadways that are flooded. Just six inches of water is enough to disable a vehicle and cause life-threatening conditions. Confidence remains low as to where these conditions may occur, however, residents whose streets commonly inundate with water during flash flood occurrences should take preventative measures to safeguard property in advance of rainfall tomorrow, March 23rd, 2024. This is a reminder that residents who opt to move their vehicles to higher ground may not park in private parking lots (including school parking lots) without the expressed permission of owners or managing authorities. Please adhere to all posted parking prohibitions.
Again, there remains a strong potential for 2 to 3 inches of rainfall, which increases this storm's impact to Cranford. There is the possibility for flooding, including some significant flash flooding, if the right conditions materialize. So, all residents should continue to remain weather aware over the remainder of the day, and if you live in a flood zone, have a plan in place in case the higher-end rainfall impacts our area. Residents should consider whether their homes are in traditionally low-lying portions of our Township with the potential to experience flash flooding. Take necessary precautions in advance of any rainfall.
Residents should report any non-emergency utility problems directly at the contact points below.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FOR UTILITY COMPANIES:
PSE&G 1-800-436-7734
Elizabethtown Gas 1-800-242-5830
New Jersey American Water 1-800-272-1325
Comcast 1-800-266-2278
Verizon FiOS 1-888-438-3467
Verizon 1-800-827-4966
Report non-emergent wires or trees down, or other non-emergency calls to Cranford Police & Fire at (908) 272-2222.
Report all Emergencies (wires down sparking, trees into homes or buildings, utility emergencies, cars trapped in water, etc) by calling 9-1-1.
As a reminder, do not rely on email or social media to report these issues, even if they seem minor or non-emergent. Please always call the non-emergency number if you are concerned and don’t believe it is an emergency warranting a 9-1-1 call.
TOWNSHIP OEM UPDATE MARCH 22ND 2024. WEEKEND WEATHER UPDATE, HEAVY RAINFALL PROJECTED. 
Township of Cranford
Office of Emergency Management
March 23rd, 2024 Heavy Rain with Potential Flooding
Office of Emergency Management
March 23rd, 2024 Heavy Rain with Potential Flooding
The following is an update from the Cranford Office of Emergency Management (OEM) as of 03/22/2024 @ 11:30 AM:
The Township of Cranford and Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring a storm system entering our region tonight, March 22nd 2024 which is expected to carry through the day tomorrow, March 23rd, 2024.
CRANFORD’S LATEST FORECAST
Rainfall will begin this evening after 11:00 PM with heavier bands of rain beginning tomorrow morning, March 23rd 2024. Current forecasts indicate that the heaviest rate of rainfall is expected to descend upon Cranford between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. This storm has the potential to cause significant flash flooding of roadways during the aforementioned peak rainfall Saturday, with nuisance flooding near flood-prone areas adjacent to the river and small streams. Confidence in our area receiving rainfall totals that produce significant flooding remains moderate and there is the potential that we will experience these impacts for the remainder of the afternoon and into the early morning hours on Sunday, March 24th, 2024 when the river crests. As of today’s forecast, there is about 2.5 to 2.75 inches of rainfall expected, with the possibility of 3.5 inches to 4 inches of rain in total. As previously stated, heavy, steady rainfall can potentially impact our traditionally low-lying locations at certain points during this rainfall event, which is projected to last between 10 and 12 hours in total. Mitigating the effects of this storm system is the recent stretch of dry-weather leading up to this weekend’s inclement weather.
TOWNSHIP OF CRANFORD STORM PREPARATION
The Township’s Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services remain at a full complement of personnel, with the police auxiliary remaining on standby in cases of downed trees, downed power lines, and road closures. Our Water Rescue Unit will have additional personnel staffed during peak rainfall hours in which flash flooding is possible – mid-afternoon on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024. Barricades have been staged at various flash-flood-prone locations throughout the Township.
The Township has taken precautions, including opening river gates and deploying pumps, and has implemented storm response procedures within the public safety and public works departments. The Cranford DPW is prepared to respond to reports of downed trees blocking township roadways.
We can protect ourselves and our families with some common-sense preparedness measures.
WHAT RESIDENTS SHOULD DO
Residents in flood-prone areas should take common sense precautions and monitor conditions if flooding materializes. Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, as the National Weather Service will issue Flood Warnings if conditions materialize. All NWS warnings impacting Cranford will be automatically re-broadcast on NIXLE via email and social media (Facebook and Twitter) and are available on a variety of weather apps and via local news sources. NIXLE text messaging is used in life-threatening emergencies or urgent notifications only.
Recent rains will also result in elevated water tables, so groundwater flooding in basements, even outside of flood zones, remains a possibility. If you receive seepage in your basements or crawl spaces, residents should monitor what items need to be moved to higher locations within the residence.
PLEASE NEVER ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADWAYS. If the heaviest rainfall rates occur over the Cranford area, significant roadway flooding may occur. Flood prone locations may become inundated with rain runoff. The most likely time for this will be during the midday through the evening hours of Saturday, March 23rd, 2024. Please do not attempt to drive through roadways that are flooded. Just six inches of water is enough to disable a vehicle and cause life-threatening conditions. Confidence remains low as to where these conditions may occur, however, residents whose streets commonly inundate with water during flash flood occurrences should take preventative measures to safeguard property in advance of rainfall tomorrow, March 23rd, 2024. This is a reminder that residents who opt to move their vehicles to higher ground may not park in private parking lots (including school parking lots) without the expressed permission of owners or managing authorities. Please adhere to all posted parking prohibitions.
Again, there remains a strong potential for 2 to 3 inches of rainfall, which increases this storm's impact to Cranford. There is the possibility for flooding, including some significant flash flooding, if the right conditions materialize. So, all residents should continue to remain weather aware over the remainder of the day, and if you live in a flood zone, have a plan in place in case the higher-end rainfall impacts our area. Residents should consider whether their homes are in traditionally low-lying portions of our Township with the potential to experience flash flooding. Take necessary precautions in advance of any rainfall.
Residents should report any non-emergency utility problems directly at the contact points below.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION FOR UTILITY COMPANIES:
PSE&G 1-800-436-7734
- Report Power Outages to PSEG at: 1-800-436-7734 Download the PSE&G mobile app to report outages and receive information on restoration times, crew locations and more.
- Register for MyAlerts to receive text notifications at pseg.com/outagecenter.
- Report an outage and receive status updates by texting OUT to 4PSEG (47734). You can also report your outage through our app, website at pseg.com/myaccount
Elizabethtown Gas 1-800-242-5830
New Jersey American Water 1-800-272-1325
Comcast 1-800-266-2278
Verizon FiOS 1-888-438-3467
Verizon 1-800-827-4966
Report non-emergent wires or trees down, or other non-emergency calls to Cranford Police & Fire at (908) 272-2222.
Report all Emergencies (wires down sparking, trees into homes or buildings, utility emergencies, cars trapped in water, etc) by calling 9-1-1.
As a reminder, do not rely on email or social media to report these issues, even if they seem minor or non-emergent. Please always call the non-emergency number if you are concerned and don’t believe it is an emergency warranting a 9-1-1 call.
Address/Location
Cranford Police Department
8 Springfield Ave
Cranford, NJ 07016
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 908-272-2222
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP CRANFORDPD followed by your message, to 888777
