Voluntary Evacuations Underway in Lawrence as Water Begins to Overflow D&R Canal near Bakers Basin Road

With water beginning to spill over the banks of the Delaware & Raritan Canal, Lawrence Township police and emergency management officials this afternoon (Thursday, Sept. 8) issued a voluntary evacuation notice for residences and businesses along Route 1 and Bakers Basin Road.

A is allowing water from the Stony Brook to spill into the canal. That, combined with the heavy rain of the last few days, has township officials concerned that may occur later tonight or Friday morning.   

It was in this area that 50-year-old Cesar Ortiz was killed on Aug. 30 when he was sucked down a sewer manhole while trying to clear away the lingering hurricane flood water.

“There’s a significant amount of water coming down the canal,” Lt. Charles Edgar, police department spokesman, said this afternoon.

“Right now, the canal is going over its banks by the ELSA [Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority] pumping station at Bakers Basin Road. We don’t know how high the canal is going to crest over the next several hours," he said. "We’re keeping a close eye on it but it’s only a matter of time before that area gets overrun by water.”

He said township police officers have started going door-to-door to homes and businesses on Bakers Basin Road and along both sides or Route 1, from Interstate 95 to Litho Road, to advise people of the situation and the voluntary evacuation.

During Hurricane Irene, hundreds of people had to be evacuated from rising flood waters by volunteer firefighters using boats and National Guard trucks.

The following “Voluntary Evacuation Notice” email was also sent out by Lawrence Township shortly before 2:30 p.m. today:

This is a Voluntary Evacuation Notice from the Lawrence Township Office of Emergency Management. The Delaware Raritan Canal is nearing flood stage at this time. An existing breach in the canal wall near Quaker Road in the Port Mercer Area is causing flood waters from the Stony Brook to flow into the Canal. Township officials are concerned that the areas around the Canal that flooded during Hurricane Irene may experience the same type of flooding this evening and on Friday morning.

The township is issuing a voluntary evacuation notice to all residents in the area that were affected by the flooding during Hurricane Irene. If you are receiving this notice and have experienced past flooding in your area, you are advised to evacuate to a safe location to avoid potential flood waters. If you have any questions you may contact the Township at 896-0225 or in an emergency, dial 911. Once again, this is a voluntary evacuation notice.