When the severe storm caused by Hurricane Ida hit Basking Ridge, some residents experienced dangerous flooding, taking out cars, collapsing foundation walls, making it impossible to leave. After several residents spoke at 3 township committee meetings, the committee has done nothing with regard to preparing for another severe storm.

The Basking Ridge Fire department proposed that some first responders receive Swiftwater training, so they would be prepared to help residents during extreme flooding. This would include the township owning an inflatable boat and providing some personnel with wetsuits. After research and submission of a budget, the committee, without inviting public comment, elected NOT to move forward with the training. When severe flooding occurs in our town, emergency response and equipment from other communities are often unavailable if there is extreme flooding elsewhere.

In addition, 2 OPRA requests confirmed that nothing has been done with regard to addressing the impact of more frequent flooding, nor has there been any engineering investigation to see whether flooding can be minimized or mitigated.