The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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June 9, 2008

Flood waters drive families out of homes

BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL

DANVILLE — Two Tilton families remain out of their homes following weekend flooding, with more rain expected today.

Already saturated ground received another 3.86 inches of rain on Saturday, raising the total to 7.43 inches for the month of June — closing in on double the average of 4.7 inches.

Jamie Davis, emergency services coordinator for the American Red Cross in Vermilion County, said one of the Tilton families will not return following water that inundated the home, filling it past the building’s windows.

The water levels — which have now receded — left the floor buckled and “horrendous” mold conditions, Davis said. The Red Cross put both families in a hotel and is working to find food and shelter for them.

Cleanup kits were handed out to the 16 families in the Tilton, Westville and Grape Creek areas temporarily displaced by Saturday’s rains. The families have since returned to their homes.

The Vermilion River was listed at 21½ feet Sunday morning, well past the 16-foot flood stage. The Danville/Vermilion County Emergency Management Agency determined the river was falling at that point. The North Fork stood at almost 13 feet and rising while the Middle Fork was receding at more than 8½ feet.

And there’s more to come, according to meteorologists. The National Weather Service in Lincoln calls for showers and thunderstorms to roll in this afternoon, continuing tonight. After that, the next chance of rain for the area is on Friday.

The rain, according to forecasts, is expected to cause more widespread flooding because of the already saturated ground across the state.

A flash flood warning began this morning and is scheduled to continue through Tuesday morning as a result of the expected rainfall. EMA Director Ted Fisher announced the potential for at least a ½ inch of rain, while the National Weather Service has forecast up to 2 inches various areas.

On the other side of the border, Vermillion County, Ind., officials continue to deal with conditions caused by rain dating back to last week.

The county sheriff’s department said this morning that waters are going down. Nonetheless, Indiana Route 163 going into Clinton, Ind., has been washed out as well as Indiana Route 71 north of Dana, Ind., and North Main Street in Clinton.

Drivers are asked to find alternate routes. In addition, those curious about disaster relief or help with flooding are asked to call the Vermillion County, Ind., EMA at (765) 832-5500.

In Illinois, the Red Cross was ready to open a shelter if more residents were displaced by the weekend flooding.

Davis said the Red Cross must assess homes damaged by the waters, but offers assistance to residents forced out by the waters flooding into their living space.

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