Repeated Flooding Leaves Residents Asking For Change In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — After years of dealing with repeated flooding, residents from the Seneca Place and Forest Avenue neighborhood are asking Westfield officials to find solutions to a problem they say has damaged property, disrupted daily life and created safety concerns during major storms.

During the July 14 Westfield Town Council meeting, several residents shared their experiences during a public hearing on the town’s stormwater management plans, urging officials to address the flooding concerns while a broader review of the town’s stormwater system continues.

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The hearing was part of Westfield’s state-required stormwater review process, which is designed to help municipalities identify areas where improvements may be needed.

Residents said flooding in the area has become more frequent in recent years, with several sharing stories of damaged vehicles, flooded properties and difficult conditions during storms.

Jacqueline Lygate, who has lived on Seneca Place for nearly 50 years, described a flood last summer that left several vehicles surrounded by water near the intersection of Seneca Place and Forest Avenue.

“One car was sort of floating near the apartment’s entrance,” Lygate said.

She also recalled an incident where an elderly resident had to be rescued from a vehicle after becoming stranded during flooding.

“He had to be rescued by the fire department,” Lygate said. “They came with a boat. That’s how deep it was.”

Matt Myers, who lives on Seneca Place, said his family has experienced several major floods since moving to the neighborhood.

“My children are honestly scarred from this experience,” Myers said. “They’ve watched out the window as neighbors and other cars were being rescued in the middle of the intersection because of the flooding.”

Myers said the flooding has changed how his family reacts whenever storms are forecast.

“Any time that it rains now, my children ask me, ‘Are you going to move the cars, Daddy? We don’t want to lose the cars?’” he said.

Rajiv Sethamadavin said he has lived in the area for five years and has experienced several severe storms. He described one incident where floodwaters moved a vehicle onto his property.

“We had a car that floated and got onto our lawn,” Sethamadavin said.

Residents also raised concerns about access to the 130-unit apartment complex at 800 Forest Avenue, saying flooding near the intersection can make it difficult for vehicles to pass through during severe storms.

Lygate said the issue could create challenges during an emergency.

“If there was an emergency, such as a medical emergency, perhaps, or a wire down over an apartment complex, there’d be no way for an emergency vehicle to get through there,” she said.

Residents also discussed whether improvements to the neighborhood’s drainage system could help reduce future flooding.

Rob Lombard, who has lived on Seneca Place for more than 40 years, said he believes changes to the area’s stormwater infrastructure could help address the issue.

“It’s simple common sense to say that that’s not right,” Lombard said. “That’s not how storm sewers should be designed.”

Town Administrator Jim Gildea said the town is aware of flooding concerns throughout Westfield and that the Seneca Place area is among locations being reviewed as part of the town’s stormwater planning process.

Westfield is currently completing a state-required stormwater assessment that includes additional analysis of flooding areas and potential mitigation efforts.

Gildea said the town is continuing that work with assistance from consultants but acknowledged residents’ concerns about waiting for the full review process to be completed.

“We hear the comments very loud and clear about not waiting if we can do that,” Gildea said.

Residents asked council members to continue looking for possible solutions while the stormwater review moves forward.

“We’re here to urge you to not wait 15 months for the assessment and the resolution,” Lygate said. “We need immediate attention to this matter.”

The town will continue reviewing stormwater concerns as part of its ongoing planning process.