Do you feel safe walking around Denville?
Flooding in Denville: Protecting Homes, Protecting Our Future
When we think about what makes Denville feel like home, we often think about our lakes, trails, and vibrant neighborhoods. But for many residents, the biggest concern isn’t traffic or sidewalks — it’s water. Flooding along the Rockaway River and Den Brook has damaged homes, displaced families, and put financial strain on our neighbors.
Denville is one of the most beautiful towns in Morris County — but it’s also one of the most flood-prone. And unless we take action, families will continue to face the devastating impact of storms.
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How Flooding Impacts Our Communities
1
Families
Repeated flooding damages homes and drains savings. Some residents have already been forced out, while others live with constant uncertainty.
2
Businesses
Local shops downtown and in at-risk areas have faced closures and costly repairs after storms. Each flood puts jobs and livelihoods at risk.
3
The Township
Our budget and infrastructure are stretched every time we respond to storm damage, leaving less funding for other priorities.
Recent Catastrophic Flooding
In August 2011, Tropical Storm Irene left Denville under water. Entire neighborhoods, businesses, and roads were swallowed by the Rockaway River and Den Brook.
The two videos below show just how extreme the flooding was — not in some distant place, but right here in our town. Homes were damaged, businesses shuttered, and families were left wondering how they would ever recover.
➡️ Click either image to watch the full clips of Irene’s impact on Denville.
This isn’t just history — it’s a reminder of what can happen again if we don’t take flood mitigation seriously.
The US Army Corps of Engineer's Study and Proposed Solutions
After years of waiting, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released its long-awaited flood plan for Denville. The proposal carries a price tag of $19 million, but instead of a bold solution, what’s on the table feels like a half measure — one that shifts costs and restrictions onto our town and our residents without truly solving the problem.
1
What's Proposed?
The plan focuses on just 38 properties — elevating 28 homes and 2 businesses, and floodproofing 8 other structures. That’s it. Hundreds of other homes and businesses that have suffered repeated flooding aren’t included.
2
Who Pays for It?
Even with federal cost-sharing, Denville taxpayers are on the hook for roughly $3.5 million. On top of that, homeowners who participate will be expected to shoulder costs too. That means we’re paying millions for a plan that benefits a very small slice of the community.
3
What It Means for Homeowners
Participation is voluntary, but comes with strings attached. Homeowners must sign permanent easements and limit how their property can be used. Even more frustrating: you’ll still be required to carry flood insurance forever, even if your home has been elevated or “floodproofed.” In other words, you take on the inconvenience and restrictions but never see real financial relief.
4
Why This Falls Short
This isn’t a comprehensive fix. It’s a patchwork solution that costs millions, covers too few families, and leaves residents trapped in flood zones with little hope of breaking free from flood insurance requirements. After more than a decade of studies and promises, Denville deserves better than a plan that tinkers around the edges of the problem.
Why it Matters
Flooding is about more than wet basements. It's about:
Public Safety
Rising water makes roads impassable and puts emergency responders in danger.
Property Values
Homes with repeated flooding are harder to sell, hurting families and the broader housing market.
Fairness
We need to find a solution which does not force the town to pay millions to protect a handful of at-rick properties. If we have to fund a solution, it should be a solution that works to reduce risk for all.
Resilience
Every dollar invested in prevention saves multiple dollars in cleanup and recovery.
What I'll Push For
Cameron Morissette, Candidate, Town Council
If I’m elected to the Township Council, I’ll work to:
- Provide honest updates on the Army Corps project so no homeowner is left guessing.
- Fight for fair cost-sharing that doesn’t punish families who happen to live near the river.
- Advocate for additional state and federal funding so Denville doesn’t have to go it alone.
- Develop a broader strategy for resilience — because flooding isn’t limited to one neighborhood, and our response shouldn’t be either.