Township Will Investigate Washington Ave. Flooding

Toms River officials plan to enlist the help of an expert to investigate whether there is a way to alleviate chronic flooding in an area of Ortley Beach.

Residents on occasion have expressed concerns to the Township Council about flooding on Washington Avenue in the southwest section of Ortley. Council Vice President Maria Maruca said that officials are aware of the problem and will see what can be done to help.

“We’re going to have one of our pool engineers—who is an expert in flooding—take a look at that area, take suggestions from residents and do a study to see feasibly what can be done,” Maruca said during a council meeting this week.

Paul Jeffrey, who lives on Bay Boulevard and serves on the Ortley Beach Taxpayers Association, said that the flooding presents a safety challenge to residents even if water does not touch their properties.

“Once Washington Avenue floods and Bay Boulevard floods, I can’t get out. So even though some residents think we’re not in trouble, we are—because there’s flooding on our potential exit routes,” he said.

The flooding problem has been ongoing for “many, many years,” even before Superstorm Sandy struck the Jersey Shore, Jeffrey said.

Mike Wymbs told the council earlier in June that flooding is a problem along six blocks of Washington Avenue, from the A&P shopping plaza to Fielder Avenue. After repairing his home from Sandy flood damage, Wymbs said he was disheartened to see waters once again approaching his property.

The area is flood-prone because is its low-lying topography, according to Maruca.

“There’s a high water table there,” she said. “There are many challenges.”