When water is spreading in New Milford, the river is part of the story
New Milford sits on the Hackensack River, and the river has a flood gauge in the borough. When the water gets into a house here, the first question is where it came from. Call our 24/7 emergency line and tell us whether the source was a pipe, a storm or the river.
A same-day response is offered when a crew is available, and dispatch runs around the clock. The borough lies about two miles southwest of Dumont, so crews from Dumont reach it quickly.
What the river record says about flooding here
The U.S. Geological Survey summary of the April 2007 floods in New Jersey says the Hackensack River at New Milford reached a peak stage 0.98 feet above the previous record, and that the gauge itself stopped working when floodwater covered its equipment. The river rose again during Hurricane Irene in August 2011.
What that means for you: some New Milford streets have a documented history of river flooding. We do not name a flood zone for any address, since that depends on the lot. Use the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, and ask the borough building department about local requirements. If your home has flooded before, ask your insurer about flood coverage.
River flood or pipe leak: how the response differs
The source changes the water category.
| Source | Category | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| River or surface flood | Category 2 or 3 | Contaminated, porous materials removed |
| Storm sewer or drain backup | Category 3 | See sewage backup cleanup |
| Burst pipe or water heater | Category 1 | Clean at first, extract and dry |
| Sump pump failure | Category 2 or 3 | Groundwater, treat as contaminated |
Flood water is contaminated and time sensitive
Call day or night.
If water is still spreading: before we arrive
Do these in order and stay safe.
Stay out of deep water
Do not wade through water above the outlets. If it is moving, leave and call 911.
Cut the source when you can
Close the main valve for pipe leaks. You cannot stop a river, so move to higher floors.
Protect power
If the panel is in a wet basement, stay away and call the electric utility.
Photograph and lift
Take photos of the water line and raise valuables off the floor.
Streets, neighborhoods and a historic landing
New Milford is a borough of about 2.3 square miles incorporated in 1922, with 6,432 housing units counted in the 2020 Census. River Road, Madison Avenue, Milford Avenue, Henley Avenue and Boulevard are the main roads. New Bridge Landing, a historic site shared with River Edge and Teaneck, marks where the river was once crossed.
The size of the housing stock means many calls come from different eras of construction. Ask us what you should check for your type of home.
New Milford, NJ on the map
Our New Milford coverage centers on ZIP 07646 and the Hackensack River corridor.
Documenting a river-related loss
If the Hackensack River was part of the cause, the documentation looks different from a pipe leak. Photograph the water line on walls and fixtures before cleanup. Note the date and the time you first saw water. The U.S. Geological Survey publishes river gauge readings for the Hackensack at New Milford, and those readings can support your timeline.
Keep damaged items you can safely store until your insurer tells you otherwise. A written list with approximate ages and replacement values helps, and so do receipts if you have them.
If flood insurance is in place, the claim goes through that policy, not through homeowners coverage. If you are not sure which applies, call your insurer before you throw anything away.
Services New Milford homes call us for
Typical calls are for basement water damage cleanup and water extraction. For nearby towns, see our pages for Oradell to the north and Cresskill to the northeast.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The line is open 24/7 and a same-day response is offered when a crew is available.
New Milford has one ZIP code, 07646, which covers the borough from River Road to the Dumont line. We serve all of it.
We do not state a zone for any address. Check yours on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask the building department.
Standard homeowners policies usually exclude flood. Check your policy or ask your insurer about flood coverage.