Flooding puts area on the edge

BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL
Commercial-News

DANVILLE May 16, 2009 11:51 pm

— Drenching rains have pushed the Vermilion River to the edge of becoming problematic for residents in Vermilion County.
Two storms have dropped more than 4˝ inches of rain throughout Vermilion County in recent days, sending each of its rivers overflowing their banks.
By mid-afternoon Saturday, the Vermilion River had already gone into flood stage, swelling to 18˝ feet. Predictions by the National Weather Service forecast the river would crest at just more than 23 feet — considered moderate flooding for the area.
Ted Fisher, director of the Vermilion County Emergency Management Agency, said he did not expect the river waters — which were rising at a gradual rate — to begin to drop until Monday afternoon. He noted it would take a while for excess waters from the river’s three tributaries — the Middle Fork, the North Fork and the Salt Fork — to travel downstream.
The river’s predicted crest sits right on the edge of taking action by county officials.
Late Saturday evening, Fisher confirmed that flood waters had begun to enter the Morin Addition area, forcing some residents to move their possessions to higher ground.
As many as 20 families were initially affected by the waters.
Jamie Davis of the American Red Cross said her office was on standby as of 8 p.m. to assist residents.
Davis said residents Saturday night were moving their vehicles to higher ground.
But with the river rising at about 3 inches per hour, more action could be taken by early morning.
Danville firefighters were expected to go door to door and advice residents of the flooding.
Davis was encouraging residents to find an alternate place to stay for the night.
Fisher said if flooding levels reach 23 feet, the Morin Addition will be unsafe and property damages likely.
Waters covering many city streets in Hoopeston, Danville and elsewhere had receded by Saturday, but in the rural areas roads still remained flooded.
Fisher said waters were still high across Gundy Cemetery Road near Bismarck and roads to the west of Anderson Hill still had water across it. In addition, Shang-ri La Road was barricaded after becoming impassable Saturday evening.
With standing water in many fields and the ground still heavily saturated, Fisher did not expect all rural roads to be clear until Monday.
As of late Saturday afternoon, the Middle Fork River was measured at 12 feet and continuing to rise. The height is double the depth measured Friday afternoon. In the North Fork, waters were also steadily rising with the last measurement coming in at 17 feet.
In Indiana, the Wabash River was expected to peak at its moderate flood stage of 24 feet by tonight.
After the back-to-back rains, residents received some good news on Saturday. The National Weather Service in Lincoln forecasts indicate no significant rain for the upcoming week with a warming trend up to the low 80s by Thursday.

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