SIC Used Reverse 911; Resident Wants Siren

SEA ISLE CITY – Sea Isle City Business Administrator George Savastano led off the Aug. 15 City Council meeting with an explanation of what happened the weekend of July 29-30 related to a sewage back up. 
“We experienced heavy and severe rainfalls during this weekend and saw lots of sewage backing up throughout Sea Isle. Avalon and Stone Harbor also had the same situation, and the sewage backup was so severe the county asked us to help. Later that evening people began complaining including that they were hearing their ‘sewers gurgling.’”
“The severe rainfall flooded out many of our streets and made its way into our sanitary sewer system. In Sea Isle, our sewage ultimately flows to the county pumping station at 69th Street where it is pumped off the island to the county Municipal Utility Authority’s treatment plant in Cape May Court House. 
“This (Seven Mile Beach/Middle Wastewater Treatment Facility) plant also serves Avalon, Stone Harbor, and the northern portion of Middle Township.”
“Around mid-morning July 29, the county MUA contacted Sea Isle, as well as Avalon and Stone Harbor, to ask if we could throttle back our flow of sewage to them because they were inundated with the extra flood water. The only way we can throttle back flow is to shut down pumps.”
“As the day progressed, our licensed operator stayed in contact with the MUA to find out how they were doing. Water and sewer staff also checked on the level of sewage in various manholes, including the one in front of the 69th Street station. 
“By late evening, the complaints being called in about residents’ sewers “gurgling” were becoming quite numerous. After contacting the MUA in the evening, their level didn’t really drop much, not enough to be able to turn on our pumps.”  
“In regard to the Reverse 911 call we issued asking our citizens to limit water use if possible, prior to doing that, our licensed operator contacted the DEP (state Department of Environmental Protection), in accordance with regulations, to let them know what was going on in the city. 
“We made the decision to utilize the Reverse 911 in order to try to best inform our citizens of the situation, and help prevent potential back-ups of sewage.”
“At 10:30 p.m. Saturday, we were finally able to turn on one of the pumps at the 39th Street station. By midnight this station was operating with both pumps. Water and sewer staff worked through the night and Sunday morning to ensure everything was operating properly.”        
“So we issued the Reverse 911 for residents and visitors to control and then improve the situation. I want to commend our water and sewer work personnel for working through the night to resolve this situation.
“When water/sewer staff met with DEP they commended us for doing everything correctly to handle sewage discharge and avoid any unnecessary discharge.
“I wanted to explain here, and for the public, our reasoning for using the Reverse 911 since some people have commented they didn’t understand the situation or circumstances,” continued Savastano.
During the public comment portion, resident John Henry, asked, “We need more than the Reverse 911 system. What happened as explained just now makes clear that it’s not the best warning system.
“I’ve been asking for council for several years to institute regular sirens tested during the day and used for emergencies at night. We recently had a flash flood occurrence, and renters on 45th Street lost their cars in the middle of the night because they didn’t get word to move them.”
In a separate initiative, the county, in an Aug. 8 release, announced that it would provide residents with a county-wide emergency alert system during emergencies and in advance of major storm events.
The CodeRED alert system will be administered through the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management, under the direction of Director Martin Pagliughi.
Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton, who oversees the Office of Emergency Management stated, “This countywide alert system is the first of its kind available at no charge to our residents, property owners, and visitors.
“This will allow the county OEM to provide emergency alerts and notices in advance of, and during major storms, and during other non-weather related emergencies that may occur.”
The CodeRED emergency alert system allows the County to place a phone call that is simultaneously delivered to all landline telephones in Cape May County.
Individuals who rely on cellular phone service can register to the CodeRED program for free by visiting www.capemaycountynj.gov, and click on the “Emergency Management” tab on the left margin of the website. They can also verify that their landline is registered with the county on the same webpage.
“The CodeRED system will allow the County to deliver alerts to the entire County or to sections of the County that may be impacted by a localized emergent condition,” Pagliughi stated.
“It will not replace but rather supplement the CodeRED alerts provided by individual communities which use the same technology for town-specific alerts.”
It is recommended that all businesses register for the alerts, as well as individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed phone numbers or addresses within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number.
The county’s CodeRED system will incorporate the National Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, known as IPAWS.
Individuals who have Caller ID and see the number 866-419-5000 appear on their phones will know that an emergency alert phone call is being delivered.
If they are unable to answer the phone to listen to the alert, they may simply dial that number to hear the most recent alert issued by the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management.
“Advanced warning of emergent storm events is the most practical way to save lives and property,” Pagliughi added. “This tool will allow us to instantly communicate threats from events including hurricanes, nor’easters, blizzards, Derechos, and other emergent situations.”
The county will be conducting a test of the CodeRED system within the next two weeks.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.