United Water Lowering Oradell Reservoir

United Water began releasing water from the Oradell Reservoir midnight Thursday upon orders from Governor Christie after the National Weather Service issued the third flood watch in a week for Bergen County and much of the tri-state area Wednesday, according to New Milford Mayor Ann Subrizi.

Subrizi spoke with representatives from United Water who said that they were releasing water from the Oradell Reservoir to make room for the water coming from the release of the Woodcliff Lake Reservoir. Oradell is the lowest reservoir on the reservoir chain.

Subrizi stressed that she and Police Chief Frank Papapietro, who also heads the Office of Emergency Management, are closely monitoring the storm and will provide updates as they become available. 

The National Weather Service has predicted between 3.5 and 4.5 inches of rain will fall in the area, potentially causing flooding.

Papapietro is cautioning residents who live in flood prone areas to take all necessary precautions to secure their property from flood waters and the effects of high winds.

"Residents in flood prone areas should move their cars to higher ground and secure anything on their property from the expected high winds that are predicted to accompany the storm," Papapietro said.  

Patch will continue to provide updates to the storm as they become available.

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