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Cranford Police Department 2011 Annual Report - Cranford.com

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<strong>2011</strong> In Review<br />

<strong>Cranford</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Department</strong>—Hurricane Irene<br />

Hurricane Irene<br />

On August 28, <strong>2011</strong>, Hurricane Irene made<br />

landfall in southern New Jersey, tracking north<br />

and passing over the majority of the state,<br />

including Union County. Despite several days<br />

advanced warning, and intense planning efforts<br />

by Township Officials and Emergency<br />

Management personnel, the storm devastated<br />

considerable portions of <strong>Cranford</strong> Township and<br />

resulted in major flooding from the Rahway<br />

River. The storm resulted in 9.7” of rain in 24<br />

hours. In addition, we saw 18.93” of rain in all of<br />

August which made it the wettest month on<br />

record with the National Weather Service.<br />

In preparation for Irene’s arrival, the Township<br />

ordered a mandatory evacuation for homes in<br />

the 500 year flood plain. Over 2,000 people<br />

were evacuated and an emergency shelter was<br />

opened at the <strong>Cranford</strong> Community Center on<br />

Walnut Avenue. Despite the evacuation order,<br />

the <strong>Cranford</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Department</strong> Water Rescue<br />

Team, as well as units from the fire department,<br />

county police and New Jersey State <strong>Police</strong>,<br />

conducted over 100 rescues of stranded and<br />

trapped residents.<br />

At the peak of flooding, the Rahway River<br />

reached 4.5 feet above flood stage, pouring<br />

water onto surface streets and into numerous<br />

residences. In all, over 1,300 homes<br />

experienced significant flood damage and over<br />

200 experienced first floor flooding. A<br />

<strong>com</strong>bination of flooding and high wind also<br />

caused the loss of power to over 6,000<br />

residences and businesses; power was not<br />

restored to all the affected areas for over five<br />

days. In the Rahway River Watershed area (of<br />

which <strong>Cranford</strong> is part), the Federal Emergency<br />

Management Agency estimated the value of<br />

damage to homes, schools and municipal<br />

property at over $60 million.<br />

Photo, top, South Avenue at High Street.<br />

Photo, middle, Route 28 at Springfield Avenue.<br />

Photo, bottom, rear of Town Hall at 9:53 a.m. on<br />

Sunday, August 28, <strong>2011</strong>.<br />

<strong>Cranford</strong> <strong>Police</strong> <strong>Department</strong>—<strong>2011</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 64

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