Flood displaces Jasper Co. residents

JASPER COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - First Christian Church in Remington opened its doors as a shelter for evacuees, forced by flood waters from their Lake Arthur Estates home.

Youth Minister Paul Dyke said the church was happy to help residents from the mobile home park which included more than 50 residences.

"We gave them something to drink, if they wanted it. We had snacks and stuff like that. We had cots already brought in. We had blankets from Remington that people had brought in already. People were already calling immediately last night from the neighborhood," said Dyke.

"I thought about just getting my coat and everything and just getting out of the house before it got too bad," said Tara Rhoden, one of the Lake Arthur Estates evacuees.

Jasper County Emergency Management Director Karen Wilson said evacuees may be able to return home soon.

"It's the issue of getting in and out because there's only one entrance in and out. We just don't want them to get in there and then get stuck. But I really think that can get home as soon as this evening," said Wilson.

In Rensselaer, majority of the flooding comes from the Iroquois River coming out of its banks. That's left officials with closing roads throughout the county and left many residents with trying to get water out of their homes.

Rick Weikel lives along College Avenue, one of dozens of flooded streets in Jasper County. He said when the road floods between three and five inches, water fills his basement.

"It causes the sewer line to back up into my house, pop all my connections off and raw sewage comes right into my basement," said Weikel.

But Weikel said he's looking at a bigger problem.

"This is an old house and the foundation that I have, the lime stone that they used is the mortar deteriorates with the water.

Weikel said he will have to wait until the water recedes before pumping it out of his basement. Combined with lengthy repairs to the drywalll, he thinks this flood may keep him out of his house for nearly two months.

There is some good news. EMA Director Karen Wilson said the Iroquois River, part of which runs through Jasper County, is expected to crest on March 12.