Lakewood has experienced unusually heavy rainfall this summer, leading to widespread flooding in several parts of the township. While weather conditions remain beyond control, township officials are stressing the importance of community cooperation to minimize damage.
Township Engineer Tony Poklasny said the Department of Public Works (DPW) has responded in recent weeks to multiple areas affected by significant flooding. In several cases, he noted, clogged storm drains were found to be a contributing factor. “Crews discovered that drainage systems were internally clogged with trash, which greatly reduced drainage efficiency,” Poklasny said.
According to township officials, Lakewood is actively cleaning, upgrading, and expanding its drainage systems. However, they cautioned that even well-maintained systems cannot prevent flooding when blocked by debris or overwhelmed by excessive rainfall.
“We cannot stress enough that no piece of trash – large or small – should ever be placed on top of, or into, a street drain,” Poklasny emphasized. “A properly functioning drain can – and does – make the difference between whether one’s home, vehicle, and other possessions get damaged in the event of a storm.”
Residents are encouraged to ensure that storm drains near their homes remain clear, particularly during periods of heavy rain.