3000 township residents lose power; flooding is overwhelming West Milford Hurricane Irene ripped a path of devastation throughout the northeast last weekend, bringing hours of drenching rains then high winds that caused massive damage. West Milford was hit hard by the storm. Township Administrator Kevin Boyle said 3,000 homes and businesses lost their power, including the town hall. Forty trees came down in the township by windswept rain; then 100 more came down with the high winds alone. Orange & Rockland Utilities and Jersey Central Power and Light have been working to restore power since Sunday. Boyle said most were expected to be back up by Wednesday night, but others were projected to be running by the weekend. “Just unbelievable" Ron Svrchek sounded both energized and weary at the same time. West Milford's Office of Emergency Management deputy coordinator had just come off three solid days of coordinating storm relief to the residents of the township. By Tuesday afternoon, he'd gotten over 300 calls for basement pump outs, trees were still being removed from roads and potable water was being distributed at Hillcrest, a temporary shelter during the storm. He hadn't ever seen a storm like this one. "This is the worst storm I've worked in my career," said Svrchek. "It's been days and we are still cutting and clearing trees to open roads. Areas that never flooded did this time." He said the Edgecumb Road/Glen Cross area was submerged. "I never saw the water that high," he said. "It was just unbelievable." By Wednesday, most roads were open again, Boyle said. Svrchek described Warwick Turnpike as "a tidal wave." He said the water was flowing so heavily, vehicles couldn't even make it up the road. Clinton Road remained closed at press time. At first it was believed that the bridge on Clinton Road had been damaged. Boyle said the township engineer and the department of public works believe the problem is a culvert and not the bridge but they are waiting for the county to inspect it before moving forward with the fix. It is a county road but, with Paterson in such bad shape, the township will fix the problem and back charge the county for it after getting approval. Shelters open The township opened two emergency shelters - one at Hillcrest and one at West Milford High School - throughout the storm, beginning on Saturday night. However, just one resident used them during the worst of the storm even though residents who live in flood-prone areas were encouraged to evacuate. Residents without power still have access to the Hillcrest Community Center on Macopin Road between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily to stay, charge their cell phone and computer batteries. Also transportation from Hillcrest was provided to anyone wishing to use shower facilities. Potable water is also available at Hillcrest, as well as ice and dry ice. "Thank God for Kevin Drake," said Svrchek. Drake, the Northern New Jersey Forest Fire Warden sent four "water buffaloes" or water tankers to West Milford. Residents may bring containers and get water here. However, the recommendation is to boil the water before using. Volunteers answered the call Svrchek said probably the hardest hit area flooding wise was Upper Greenwood Lake. Greenwood Forest District and Apshawa also covered hard-hit areas. Apshawa's own firehouse was flooded. Company 2, he said, hasn't stopped since Sunday. "Water comes right out of the ground," he said, referring to the low-lying area along Route 23. Companies 3 and 6 provided water rescues. All, he said, worked together as a team. "Anytime we called, they responded. It was unbelievable," Svrchek said. "As tired as people were, they did it." Of course, patience grows thin when there is no power or water, when property is damaged and roads are unpassable. Most of the people out there helping others are volunteers. And they left their own homes to assist everyone else in the township. Svrchek said he had many firefighters going round the clock, pumping basements, moving downed trees all while their own houses were flooding. "We are beyond exhausted," he said Tuesday. "I'm darn proud of our volunteer fire fighters, our police and our Office of Emergency Management." For more local information on roads, power restoration and shelter availability, call 973-728-2860 or 973-728-2840.