Flooding Information & Resources
Scotch Plains Flood Advisory Task Force
Scotch Plains is establishing an advisory body of local experts that will partner directly with the Township to identify solutions for chronic regional flooding that affects the municipality, as well as surrounding communities.
This volunteer advisory group will work with Township officials to identify and prioritize local flood mitigation projects, strengthen applications for state and federal funding, and help guide long-term strategies that protect neighborhoods, business corridors, infrastructure and community as a whole.
Those interested in applying to be on the task force must fill out an application, including a short statement of relevant qualifications. Decisions will be based on the specific expertise and experience of the applicants.
To prepare for the work of the Task Force, the Township is benefitting from a free study that is now being undertaken by the Center for Natural Resources at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark.
As part of the research, the university has placed cameras at four strategic locations where flooding is common in Scotch Plains. The cameras will track water levels during heavy rains to study existing conditions. NJIT will review the data with the Township and the Task Force, making recommendations based off the information gleaned.
Please check back on this webpage, where any relevant updates will be posted.
For additional background, please view this video of the township’s Oct. 15, 2025 public meeting regarding flooding. The video is in the top section of the page under “Recent Videos.”
Help Ease Flooding in Scotch Plains
Around your property
- Keep any stream, ditch, or culvert on or near your property clear of leaves, branches, and silt — this has made a measurable difference in town.
- Clear your gutters and storm drains regularly, especially before forecasted heavy rain.
- Grade soil away from your foundation.
- Install a sewer backflow valve to prevent water from backing up into your basement.
- Elevate utilities (electrical panel, water heater, HVAC) if you're in a flood-prone section of town.
- Reduce paved/hardscaped surface where you can — permeable pavers, gravel, or a rain garden in a low spot on your property helps absorb runoff instead of shedding it onto the street.
Be ready before a storm
- Sign up for Union County/Scotch Plains emergency alerts.
- Know that flooding here can escalate fast — residents have described the Green Brook going from a trickle to full flooding in 15–20 minutes during heavy storms. Don't wait to move your car or evacuate a low area once heavy rain starts.
- Never drive into flooded roads.
Financial protection
- Get flood insurance even if you're not in an official high-risk FEMA zone — standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage, and given how much of Scotch Plains carries some flood risk, it's a reasonable precaution.
Get involved locally
- Report clogged culverts, ditches, or storm drains near you to the township's public works department.
- Attend town flooding forums and community meetings — the town has been organizing these along with a "Resilient NJ" regional grant application with neighboring towns, and resident turnout has helped keep pressure on for state/federal funding.
- Support stream bank stabilization or cleanup efforts when the township or county proposes them — this is one of the few levers residents have influenced successfully at the local level.
Keep the big picture in mind
A lot of Scotch Plains' worst flooding originates upstream in the Watchung Reservation, outside the town's control, and the real long-term fix depends on an Army Corps of Engineers project for the Green Brook's upper basin that's still awaiting federal funding. Local prep reduces damage and risk to you personally, but it won't fully solve the town's flooding problem — that requires continued regional and federal pressure.
Scotch Plains Rain Garden Initiative
The Scotch Plains Township Environmental Committee and Green Team have launched an initiative to promote residential rain gardens: shallow, planted areas that naturally collect rainwater runoff.
These low-maintenance natural landscapes help reduce neighborhood flooding, filter pollutants before they reach local streams, and support native wildlife. Residents can access upcoming educational workshops, design assistance, and information on potential future rebate opportunities.
To receive helpful resources and stay updated on local demonstration and educational projects, you can learn more and fill out a brief community interest form on the flyer below.
Scotch Plains Mapping Stormwater Infrastructure
The Township of Scotch Plains is currently advancing its Phase One Watershed Inventory Report to comply with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Tier A MS4 permit requirements. This initial phase focuses on establishing a comprehensive, digitally mapped baseline of the municipal stormwater system.
By cataloging public and private infrastructure, Scotch Plains is laying the crucial data groundwork necessary to better understand how water moves through the community, manages runoff, and impacts local water quality.
A primary component of this initiative is the rigorous tracking of all local conveyance and outfall infrastructure. The town is systematically mapping all storm drain inlets, subsurface conveyance pipes, manholes, and municipal outfall points that measure 12 inches or larger.
Additionally, the inventory details critical system interconnections—where stormwater flows across borders between Scotch Plains, adjacent municipalities, and Union County roadways—as well as the specific drainage areas that empty directly into local receiving waterbodies like Green Brook and Robinson's Branch.
Beyond pipes and inlets, the inventory logs structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) designed to treat and control stormwater before it reaches our waterways. This includes mapping all public and private detention basins, rain gardens, manufactured treatment devices, and municipal maintenance yards.
Ultimately, the finalized Phase One structural map will feed directly into the Phase Two Watershed Assessment Report, allowing Scotch Plains to identify flood-prone areas, target infrastructure upgrades, and implement impactful water quality projects across the township.
About the Green Brook Flood Control Commission
In response to regional floods in 1971 and 1973, a local movement achieved a new level of recognition. The Green Brook Flood Control Commission was authorized by the State of New Jersey and consists of volunteer representatives appointed by the flood-affected municipalities and counties, working in cooperation with state and federal representatives.
The Commission regularly holds open meetings to discuss their goal of a comprehensive flood control solution for the entire Green Brook Basin, as well as to get updated information on the progress of the project. Here are current project maps:
- Segment I-J-K Conceptual Plans (1999),click here
- Project sequencing (Bubble Map),click here
- Green Brook sub-basin Map (USACE),click here
The Commission generally holds meetings the first Wednesday night of every even-numbered month at 7:30 pm. The exception is the annual August Memorial, which is held the first Saturday at 9:30 am.
On-Line Click on this link for Zoom Meeting
Phone (929) 205-6099 or (301) 715-8592
Meeting ID 992 1975 4693 Passcode 135156
UPCOMING MEETINGS - via Zoom unless otherwise noted
- Saturday, August 1, 2026, in person 9:30 am
American Legion Pavilion, 707 Legion Place, Middlesex
- Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Learn more about the commission here.
Scotch Plains is an active member of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission, which has advocated for a permanent federal flood control solution along the Green Brook for more than 50 years. While the planning, funding, and implementation process is expected to take a decade or longer, the Township remains actively engaged through monthly Commission meetings and ongoing coordination with project partners to advance this critical initiative.
The Township is currently working with members of its Congressional delegation to secure funding in the 2026 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) for a comprehensive, long-term structural flood control project to be designed and implemented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
As of July 29, 2026, The Township has received an encouraging update from Congressman Tom Kean’s office regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ General Reevaluation Study of the Green Brook/Raritan River Upper Basin, i.e. the long-running study initiated after the Corps’ earlier finding that structural flood mitigation was not warranted for our area.
The 2026 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), currently moving through Congress, is expected to include language that:
- Places this project on a list for expedited completion; and
- Requires the Corps to deliver a status report within six months of the bill’s passage.
This is a positive sign for a project that many residents have been asking about for years. It does not mean immediate construction, but it does mean renewed momentum and accountability on the federal timeline. We will post further updates here as WRDA moves forward and as the Army Corps responds.
Scotch Plains Flood Advisory Task Force
Scotch Plains is establishing an advisory body of local experts that will partner directly with the Township to identify solutions for chronic regional flooding that affects the municipality, as well as surrounding communities.
This volunteer advisory group will work with Township officials to identify and prioritize local flood mitigation projects, strengthen applications for state and federal funding, and help guide long-term strategies that protect neighborhoods, business corridors, infrastructure and community as a whole.
Those interested in applying to be on the task force must fill out an application, including a short statement of relevant qualifications. Decisions will be based on the specific expertise and experience of the applicants.
To prepare for the work of the Task Force, the Township is benefitting from a free study that is now being undertaken by the Center for Natural Resources at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark.
As part of the research, the university has placed cameras at four strategic locations where flooding is common in Scotch Plains. The cameras will track water levels during heavy rains to study existing conditions. NJIT will review the data with the Township and the Task Force, making recommendations based off the information gleaned.
Please check back on this webpage, where any relevant updates will be posted.
For additional background, please view this video of the township’s Oct. 15, 2025 public meeting regarding flooding. The video is in the top section of the page under “Recent Videos.”
Help Ease Flooding in Scotch Plains
Around your property
- Keep any stream, ditch, or culvert on or near your property clear of leaves, branches, and silt — this has made a measurable difference in town.
- Clear your gutters and storm drains regularly, especially before forecasted heavy rain.
- Grade soil away from your foundation.
- Install a sewer backflow valve to prevent water from backing up into your basement.
- Elevate utilities (electrical panel, water heater, HVAC) if you're in a flood-prone section of town.
- Reduce paved/hardscaped surface where you can — permeable pavers, gravel, or a rain garden in a low spot on your property helps absorb runoff instead of shedding it onto the street.
Be ready before a storm
- Sign up for Union County/Scotch Plains emergency alerts.
- Know that flooding here can escalate fast — residents have described the Green Brook going from a trickle to full flooding in 15–20 minutes during heavy storms. Don't wait to move your car or evacuate a low area once heavy rain starts.
- Never drive into flooded roads.
Financial protection
- Get flood insurance even if you're not in an official high-risk FEMA zone — standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood damage, and given how much of Scotch Plains carries some flood risk, it's a reasonable precaution.
Get involved locally
- Report clogged culverts, ditches, or storm drains near you to the township's public works department.
- Attend town flooding forums and community meetings — the town has been organizing these along with a "Resilient NJ" regional grant application with neighboring towns, and resident turnout has helped keep pressure on for state/federal funding.
- Support stream bank stabilization or cleanup efforts when the township or county proposes them — this is one of the few levers residents have influenced successfully at the local level.
Keep the big picture in mind
A lot of Scotch Plains' worst flooding originates upstream in the Watchung Reservation, outside the town's control, and the real long-term fix depends on an Army Corps of Engineers project for the Green Brook's upper basin that's still awaiting federal funding. Local prep reduces damage and risk to you personally, but it won't fully solve the town's flooding problem — that requires continued regional and federal pressure.
Scotch Plains Rain Garden Initiative
The Scotch Plains Township Environmental Committee and Green Team have launched an initiative to promote residential rain gardens: shallow, planted areas that naturally collect rainwater runoff.
These low-maintenance natural landscapes help reduce neighborhood flooding, filter pollutants before they reach local streams, and support native wildlife. Residents can access upcoming educational workshops, design assistance, and information on potential future rebate opportunities.
To receive helpful resources and stay updated on local demonstration and educational projects, you can learn more and fill out a brief community interest form on the flyer below.
Scotch Plains Mapping Stormwater Infrastructure
The Township of Scotch Plains is currently advancing its Phase One Watershed Inventory Report to comply with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Tier A MS4 permit requirements. This initial phase focuses on establishing a comprehensive, digitally mapped baseline of the municipal stormwater system.
By cataloging public and private infrastructure, Scotch Plains is laying the crucial data groundwork necessary to better understand how water moves through the community, manages runoff, and impacts local water quality.
A primary component of this initiative is the rigorous tracking of all local conveyance and outfall infrastructure. The town is systematically mapping all storm drain inlets, subsurface conveyance pipes, manholes, and municipal outfall points that measure 12 inches or larger.
Additionally, the inventory details critical system interconnections—where stormwater flows across borders between Scotch Plains, adjacent municipalities, and Union County roadways—as well as the specific drainage areas that empty directly into local receiving waterbodies like Green Brook and Robinson's Branch.
Beyond pipes and inlets, the inventory logs structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) designed to treat and control stormwater before it reaches our waterways. This includes mapping all public and private detention basins, rain gardens, manufactured treatment devices, and municipal maintenance yards.
Ultimately, the finalized Phase One structural map will feed directly into the Phase Two Watershed Assessment Report, allowing Scotch Plains to identify flood-prone areas, target infrastructure upgrades, and implement impactful water quality projects across the township.
About the Green Brook Flood Control Commission
In response to regional floods in 1971 and 1973, a local movement achieved a new level of recognition. The Green Brook Flood Control Commission was authorized by the State of New Jersey and consists of volunteer representatives appointed by the flood-affected municipalities and counties, working in cooperation with state and federal representatives.
The Commission regularly holds open meetings to discuss their goal of a comprehensive flood control solution for the entire Green Brook Basin, as well as to get updated information on the progress of the project. Here are current project maps:
- Segment I-J-K Conceptual Plans (1999),click here
- Project sequencing (Bubble Map),click here
- Green Brook sub-basin Map (USACE),click here
The Commission generally holds meetings the first Wednesday night of every even-numbered month at 7:30 pm. The exception is the annual August Memorial, which is held the first Saturday at 9:30 am.
On-Line Click on this link for Zoom Meeting
Phone (929) 205-6099 or (301) 715-8592
Meeting ID 992 1975 4693 Passcode 135156
UPCOMING MEETINGS - via Zoom unless otherwise noted
- Saturday, August 1, 2026, in person 9:30 am
American Legion Pavilion, 707 Legion Place, Middlesex
- Wednesday, December 2, 2026
Learn more about the commission here.
Scotch Plains is an active member of the Green Brook Flood Control Commission, which has advocated for a permanent federal flood control solution along the Green Brook for more than 50 years. While the planning, funding, and implementation process is expected to take a decade or longer, the Township remains actively engaged through monthly Commission meetings and ongoing coordination with project partners to advance this critical initiative.
The Township is currently working with members of its Congressional delegation to secure funding in the 2026 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) for a comprehensive, long-term structural flood control project to be designed and implemented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
As of July 29, 2026, The Township has received an encouraging update from Congressman Tom Kean’s office regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ General Reevaluation Study of the Green Brook/Raritan River Upper Basin, i.e. the long-running study initiated after the Corps’ earlier finding that structural flood mitigation was not warranted for our area.
The 2026 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), currently moving through Congress, is expected to include language that:
- Places this project on a list for expedited completion; and
- Requires the Corps to deliver a status report within six months of the bill’s passage.
This is a positive sign for a project that many residents have been asking about for years. It does not mean immediate construction, but it does mean renewed momentum and accountability on the federal timeline. We will post further updates here as WRDA moves forward and as the Army Corps responds.