UPDATED: Parsippany Police Announce Opening of Assessment Center

Residents affected by flooding in the wake of Hurricane Irene have a place to go for help in dealing with their property losses. Parsippany Police announced Tuesday afternoon that the Flood Damage Assessment Center is now open for business. The center, which was established by the township, can be found at the Lake Hiawatha Firehouse at 39 North Beverwyck Rd.

Those who go to the center will be permitted to visit their flood-damaged property if it is deemed safe, according to police spokesperson Ptlm. Earl Kinsey. During that visit, the resident can take photos and make an assessment of the damage done to their home and property items.

"This is not an inspection to allow occupancy of your home. This inspection is to assess visible damage for insurance claims and a need, if required, for a more detailed inspection," police spokesperson Sgt. Yvonne Christiano explained in a news release. "Residents will not be able to inhabit their residences until deemed safe and habitable. Safe and habitable includes having working plumbing and electrical systems as well as being declared structurally sound."

Sgt. Christiano said residents will be permitted to inspect their properties as the water recedes. Once an area is deemed safe to enter, an announcement will be posted on the Parsippany Police Department and municipal websites, as well as on the PPD's Facebook page and Twitter feed.

Parsippany Police have announced via a series of news releases that residents of the following streets/areas may respond to the Lake Hiawatha Fire Department to start their assessment process:

• Sioux
• Sutton
• Haddonfield
• Colony
• Ridge
• Ringwood
• Hollyglen
• Sandalwood
• Oldchester
• Rockaway Place to Ferndale
• River Dr. between Chesapeake and Iroquois
• Chesapeake to River Dr.
• Vail to Lakeshore Dr. (No further than 26)
• Manito to Norman not past 59 to 28
• Vail and Ute to Lake Shore
• Vail and Pawnee to Lake Shore
• Vail and Manito to Morton
• Larkspur
• Pond
• Fenwick
• Winfield
• Stafford
• Arnold
• Alba

The center is open now and will remain so until 7 p.m. Tuesday. On subsequent days, it will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Police say residents should bring the following items with them to the Flood Damage Assessment Center:

• Proper identification

• House keys

• Waterproof footwear

• A camera, video camera or a cell phone capable of taking photos

• Extra memory cards as needed

• A pen and a clipboard and/or a notepad with paper

The police department recommends that residents take many photos to document any and all damage for insurance and reimbursement purposes.

In a related note, residents interested in seeing what's available on a federal level can find Federal Emergency Management Agency materials at the town's Community Center at 1130 Knoll Rd. in Lake Hiawatha. These materials will also be available at the Lake Hiawatha Fire Department.