Burlington County Declares State Of Emergency Amid Storm Cleanup

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Burlington County is under a State of Emergency following Tuesday's storm, and officials said they will seek reimbursement from the federal government to pay for needed restoration and cleanup.

To become eligible for federal assistance the county and entire state must meet federal thresholds for damages and storm-related expenses. If that occurs, the state can request a federal disaster declaration from the White House.

The federal government typically reimburses states and local governments with 75 percent of their storm-related expenses if a federal disaster is declared.

“It’s still very early in the process, but we know Burlington County was hit hard by this storm,” Freeholder Dan O’Connell said. “We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure our towns are reimbursed if aid becomes available.”

There were still 49,000 properties in Burlington County that were without power Wednesday afternoon.

Willingboro and Pemberton Township had the most properties awaiting restoration, but several others still had significant outages remaining, including Edgewater Park, Medford, Burlington Township, Evesham and Mansfield. Each of those towns had at least 2,000 properties without power.

Several long-term care communities were among the properties impacted and some remain unrestored on backup generators.

Clare Estates in Bordentown had its power restored last night, but Powerback Rehab is operating on backup generators.

Utility companies have indicated most homes are expected to be restored by Thursday or Friday.
PSE&G has established a comfort station at the Kennedy Center on John F. Kennedy Way in Willingboro and outside the Lumberton Municipal Building on Municipal Drive where impacted residents can pick up ice and water.

Power at Burlington County’s administration buildings on Rancocas Road was restored Wednesday morning, but two wastewater treatment plants and several pump stations are still without power in Evesham.

All county parks were open on Wednesday, but some restrooms were closed because they didn’t have power, officials said. The Ravine Trail in Smithville was also closed due to fallen trees.
Emergency management officials continue to monitor flood gauges along the Rancocas Creek. None are near action or flood stages.

The following county roads were still closed due to storm damage Wednesday afternoon:

• Crowshaw Road, between Jones Mill and Route 665 in North Hanover
• Wrightstown-Georgetown Road, between Access Highway and Sykesville Road, in North Hanover;
• Old York Road, between Route 543 and Neck Road, in Springfield (local traffic only);
• River Road, between the water plant and bridge, in Florence;
• Moorestown-Mount Laurel Road in Mount Laurel;
• Levitt Parkway in Willingboro;
• Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road, between Greentree and Academy Drive in Mount Laurel;
• Eayrestown Road, between Landing Street and Municipal Drive, in Lumberton;
• North Maple Avenue in Bass River.