The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC) this month is upgrading its water level sensors along the Hackensack River so that Meadowlands District first responders and residents continue to receive early warnings when levels rise during tidal events, heavy rains and storms. The yearly updates are especially critical and timely as the region is in the midst of hurricane season.
The text and email based alerts are sent when water levels reach 5.5 feet above sea level in the river and continue to be relayed as levels rise. Warnings can be sent twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
The sensors are solar-powered and the information gathered is relayed to out-of-state servers to ensure that the data is available even during power outages in the Meadowlands area. The Commission is updating hardware and software on its sensors at Kearny Point, River Barge Park in Carlstadt, and Saw Mill Creek in North Arlington.
In addition to providing water level alerts, the NJMC also maintains interactive, web-based flood prediction maps that show what parts of District municipalities may flood from sea surge levels of 4 to 8 feet. This information can help emergency officials plan response efforts both before and during sea surge events.
First responders and residents may find more information about and sign up for the NJMC’s water level alerts at http://meri.njmeadowlands.gov/alerts/water-level. The Commission’s flood prediction maps can be found at the same site.
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