NEW JERSEY (PIX11) -- We first met Aruther Zyfy of Pequannock N.J. six weeks ago, just days after flood water forced him and his neighbors to send another round of destroyed personal property to the curb.
“Because the river is right here. I think that is the only way,” said Arthur.
Add another bad flood earlier this month and you can understand why Arthur is eager to learn more about a new plan proposed by area elected officials to elevate a long stretch of nearby Route 23, and hopefully improve water drainage in the process.
“Because right now, the guy now, my neighbor there, he is saying he wants to leave the house, even if he cannot sell no more. Second, third time, even two, three days ago he had a lake in front of his house,” said Arthur.
Just a few doors down Valentina chooses to leave out her two sump pump tubes because she says her basement now floods even after a modest rainfall.
“We are gonna be happy for that. Because this is not worth it. We do not want to live here like this is this continues like this. We are scared now even from the rain. I did not even think from the rain we can get flood. But now, even from the rain,” said Valentina.
The elevation and new drainage plan are just that for now.
But elected officials including state senator Kristin Corrado, are pushing hard for Governor Phil Murphy’s administration to weigh in.
“It is desperately needed. We would like them to be involved. We are going to be reaching out to the administration. Every time there are a flood, we live through it with our residents. We want them to see the impact on the people that live along the river, the businesses,” said Sen. Corrado.
Former Pequannock mayor and current council member David Kohle says flooding often causes horrible traffic on narrow side streets.
“My biggest thing would be the money – and where the state is gonna get it. They gotta do something to help this section of New Jersey. I mean, flooding has been here for a long time,” said Kohle.
Pequannock resident Arthur Zyfy says this is a regional issue that deserves Trenton's attention.
“It is not only us. It’s Lincoln, Park Wayne, Little Falls. Paterson – forget it,” said Arthur.
PIX11 News reached out to state transportation officials in Trenton, and directly to the governor’s office for comment on the proposed plans to elevate the highway. We did not receive a response in time for this report.
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