Flooding hurts homes, businesses

BUFFALO, Ind. (WLFI) - A handful of houses have water almost up to their first floor windows. While the flooding in Buffalo hasn't directly hit local businesses, it is taking a toll on some.

Dotson's Family Restaurant in Buffalo isn't serving many customers these days.

"This will hurt us. People won't have anything left to do anything with," said employee Christie Dotson.

Dotson has lived in Buffalo her whole life. She said while the family business is a concern of hers, she's more worried about the people.

"There's so many people, so many people, that are just devastated. Just as soon as they get everything fixed, and they're still working on it from last year. And it's just destroyed again," said Dotson.

Some residents might be experiencing de ja vu with the flooding. Except this year might be even more devastating. In some areas, the water levels are just a few feet from a garage roof. And almost reach some homes windows. For some residents, the damage from this flood could be more than they can handle.

"The little girl across the street, they've had to move to Monticello now and this is the third time. Her dad said one more time and they were done. They couldn't do it anymore," said Dotson.

"There are several people that are very fed up with it. But there's nothing we can do to change that," said Buffalo Volunteer Fire Chief Greg Westerhouse

Westerhouse said river flooding is imminent, but he said people seemed to respond better to it this year.

"We've had five rescues that we've have to do. Last year we had over 30 so I think it does show people are a little more aware of the consequences of what's gonna happen," said Westerhouse.

Even with the potential of more water on the way, some people aren't considering leaving because of it.

"The neighbor has just decided to lift his house up. He's not moving, he's gonna stay. He loves the river," said Dotson.

Westerhouse said if more flooding is on the way, the fire department will notify residents as soon as possible. He says some people may want to hold up cleaning up their houses from the damage until they know for sure the flooding has stopped.