Flood Recovery Continues In Cinnaminson, With Another Storm Expected

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Post-storm recovery efforts continued Thursday around Cinnaminson and Burlington County. But as waters recede and power returns to homes, a weekend storm could create new issues, forecasters say.

The American Red Cross and the county staged a short-term shelter Wednesday at the Delran Firehouse for storm-impacted residents. Nobody took shelter there Wednesday, but it will remain open Thursday night.

The Red Cross and county emergency-management office also set up a disaster-relief center at the firehouse (9 South Bridgeboro St.). Several families have gone there for assistance. Crisis counselors are also on-hand.

Storm flooding prompted first responders to conduct three water rescues at Cinnaminson homes, but no sheltering operations were necessary, according to county officials. Cinnaminson's East Riverton section sustained some of the county's greatest flooding.

Because of possible flooding Friday and Saturday, the county is staging equipment and placing personnel on standby in case a larger shelter becomes necessary.

Operations In Cinnaminson, Burlington County

The recent storm, which peaked Tuesday night, hit Cinnaminson and Delran harder than any other locales in the county, officials said. Cinnaminson officials continue to aid impacted residents in coordination with public-utility companies and emergency personnel at the state, county and local levels.

Danny Norman, Cinnaminson's emergency-management coordinator, issued an emergency proclamation Wednesday. Read more: Emergency Proclamation Issued In Cinnaminson During Storm Aftermath

The proclamation allows Cinnaminson to issue and enforce orders that become necessary to carry out emergency operations, Norman told Patch. The state empowers municipal emergency-management coordinators to proclaim local disaster emergencies.

Provisions taken under such proclamations can include modifying traffic patterns, establishing curfews, partnering with neighboring municipalities for mutual aid, and securing funds or other assistance from different levels of government.

"We will continue to monitor all areas within our community to determine if any additional actions need to be taken," Norman said.

Only 27 homes and buildings in Burlington County still lack power as of 4:30 p.m. Thursday, according to PSE&G. None of the outages are in Cinnaminson.

Five homes in Delran and five in Burlington City remain without gas heat. PSE&G is working to get the gas utilities restored but won't be able to safely complete operations until all water recedes from the homes.

Cinnaminson residents who need assistance can contact:

• 911 for emergencies
• 856-829-6666 for a non-emergency response
• the American Red Cross at 856-365-7100 for support services
• PSE&G at 800-436-7734 for utility concerns

Upcoming Storm Forecast

An upcoming storm could mix with saturated soil and roads to exacerbate flooding issues Friday night and Saturday, forecasters say.

Rainfall between 0.5 and 1.5 inches is possible during the upcoming storm, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The tidal Delaware River may reach "moderate" flooding levels during high tides Friday and Saturday, while rivers around the region could flood through Saturday and beyond, the agency says.

Friday night gusts could reach 40-50 mph inland and 50-60 mph at the coastline. Strong winds could damage trees and cause power outages during the storm, but those impacts are more likely to occur closer to the coast, the NWS says.

Much of the state, including Cinnaminson, is under a coastal flood watch from Friday evening through Saturday morning. Track weather warnings, watches and advisories here.

Here's the NWS's latest forecast for Cinnaminson:

• Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 32. West wind around 5 mph.
• Friday: A chance of rain after 5 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 45. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Friday night: Rain. Low around 43. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 25 mph becoming south after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.
• Saturday: A chance of rain before 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
• Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Breezy.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.