Trenton Evacuates “The Island” In Preparation Of Anticipated Flooding

September 2, 2021

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The City of Trenton has prepared for the area known as “The Island” for flooding and has ordered an evacuation of all residents from the area. PSE&G has turned off gas to numerous houses for safety. The electrical power is on for now to allow sump pumps to run in the homes that have been evacuated.

Route 29 was open this morning and is expected to be closed this afternoon at the river crests overnight at 22.2 feet as predicted in the chart below.

See below for important information released by the City of Trenton and links to follow about flooding.

Yesterday, Mayor Gusciora Declared a State of Emergency effective at 6:00 p.m. and began voluntary evacuation proceedings for residents in high risk zones as flood conditions intensify from Tropical Depression Ida.

Current projections still show water levels will reach over 22 feet, about twice as high as the usual level of just under 11 feet. Additional rainfall coming downstream from northern watershed regions could exacerbate the problem even though heavy rain has subsided.

The Trenton Police Department (TPD) has set up a Command Post on Mount Vernon and Clearfield Avenue, which will be staffed 24 hours a day. Officers have already gone door to door in high risk areas like the Island neighborhood, advising residents of the situation and providing relevant information, including shelters and evacuation procedures. Residents in the area with questions or concerns about the evacuation process can reach the Command Post directly at (609) 712-4831.

A shelter has been set up at Joyce Kilmer Elementary School on 1300 Stuyvesant Avenue. Food, water, and sleeping accommodations will be included. Anyone who needs transportation can call 609-989-4200.

All city-related storm information including instructions for evacuating residents, including high-risk streets, can be found at https://www.trentonnj.org/flood.

Mayor W. Reed Gusciora yesterday announced that the City has Declared a State of Emergency effective at 6:00 p.m. and will recommend residents in high risk zones begin voluntary evacuation in advance of likely flooding that is expected over the next 24 to 36 hours.

Most of the rain will come between 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and 3:00 a.m. Thursday. Current projections show water levels will reach as high as 22.6 feet, more than twice as high as the usual level of just under 11 feet. Additional rainfall coming downstream from northern watershed regions could exacerbate the problem. The storm could also bring severe thunderstorms and tornadoes as it moves across New Jersey.

The Trenton Police Department (TPD) has set up a Command Post on Mount Vernon and Clearfield Avenue, which will be staffed 24 hours a day. Officers will begin going door to door this evening advising residents of the situation and providing relevant information, including shelters and evacuation procedures. Residents in the area with questions or concerns about the evacuation process can reach the Command Post directly at (609) 712-4831.

All storm related information including instructions for evacuating residents can be found at https://www.trentonnj.org/flood.

The TPD is focusing its evacuation efforts in the Island section of the city, including the following streets:

Clearfield Avenue
Columbia Avenue
Riverside Drive
Lipton Avenue
Newell Avenue
Laclede Avenue
Bloomfield Avenue
Westminster Avenue
Mt. Vernon Avenue
Rodgers Avenue

The power grid in this area will be turned off at 8:00 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2021, and all residents are strongly urged to evacuate by that time.

Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for the City’s Emergency Broadcast System to receive important updates on major road closures, evacuations, or other critical updates:

To receive text alerts, text ‘Trenton411’ to 99411.
To receive voice message alerts, sign up at www.trentonnj.org/reverse911.
All relevant updates will also be posted on https://www.trentonnj.org/flood and the City’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

The City also reminds residents to keep the following numbers nearby during the storm:

Downed trees, flooding, and other weather-related damage should be reported to the Office of Emergency Management at (609) 989-4200.
Residents that need emergency assistance should dial 911. Residents that need non-emergency assistance can reach the Trenton Police Department at (609) 989-4170.
Power outages should be reported to PSE&G at (800) 436-PSEG.

Employees from the Trenton Sewer and Public Works departments have been cleaning out storm drains since Monday. In addition, personnel from the Trenton Police Department, Trenton Streets Division, and Department of Recreation, Natural Resources and Culture will remain on standby to close streets in flooding locations and help address downed trees if necessary.

The Trenton Office of Emergency Management and Trenton Water Works are in contact with the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection and other municipalities for updates on water conditions in other regions that may impact Trenton. Generators at the water filtration plant, Trenton Police Headquarters, and other critical sites have already been tested in case of widespread power loss.