The township drains toward two creek systems: Parkers Creek and the Rancocas side to the east, and Pennsauken Creek to the west. Parkers Creek has closed Union Mill Road in storms, the township has studied flooding on Union Mill Road between Briggs Road and Hartford Road, and the April 30 to May 1, 2014 rain hit the Rancocas hardest in the county. When rain outruns the ground and the storm drains, water comes in through garages, doors and basement window wells.
Why floodwater is handled as Category 3
- Surface water picks up soil, lawn chemicals, fuel and overflow from sanitary sewers
- Porous materials it touched, like carpet, pad, drywall and insulation, get removed rather than dried
- Hard surfaces are cleaned and treated with an EPA-registered antimicrobial at its labeled dwell time
- Workers wear gloves, boots, eye protection and respirators in the work area
Older sections and low ground
Rancocas Woods shows how much ground and drainage matter: its first houses went up in the 1930s without sewers because drainage was limited, and heavy rain flooded the area. Low lots near the creeks and homes with below-grade rooms still take on water first in a big storm.
Flood insurance and safety
Rising surface water is a flood, which homeowners policies usually exclude. FloodSmart.gov explains National Flood Insurance Program coverage, and OSHA flood cleanup guidance lists the hazards inside a flooded building.
For water that came up through a floor drain instead, see sewage backup cleanup.