By Nate Smith, Staff Writer
June 08, 2008 08:51 pm
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8 :51 p.m. - Over the past hour, we have heard that SR 57 between Elnora and Plainville is down to one lane and SR 358 is having problems with passerbys turning around on the levy. Water near that levy is starting to flood up in lower areas.
7;35 p.m. - A town meeting in Elnora has just ended. The report of a voluntary evacuation was incorrect, but residents are asked to stay away from the western area, or Cherokee, to let workers build up the levy. Riding along with Paul Goss, a temporary levy was set up on CR 1550N. The water was coming close to the edge, but more sandbags are being put on to help.
The Cherokee area is under a 8 p.m. curfew except for volunteers. There will be another meeting in Elnora at 10 a.m. Monday. If floodwaters are rising, residents will be asked to go to North Daviess. Gas and Electric service could be shut off for rescuer safety if flooding gets too high.
At 6:30 p.m., floodwaters were a few feet away from the top of the levy.
6 p.m. - New volunteers have mixed with old volunteers coming in from Elnora. One crew is currently taking a break. Food and water has been set up at the Elnora fire station provided by the American Red Cross. New volunteers are taking their place. Women and child volunteers are filling sandbags at the Elnora Town Hall while males are being taken to the levy to place the bags. The meeting for Elnora residents is still on schedule for 7 p.m.
5:29 p.m. - Volunteers have continued to file in at the Elnora fire station and are quickly being sent out to fill sandbags at Plainville and Elnora. Approximately 139 volunteers have currently been in and are working. No children under 18 are allowed to work unless they are accompanied with a parent. More volunteers should assemble at North Daviess Jr./Sr. High School
5:06 p.m. - Volunteers are needed to fill sandbags in Elnora and Plainville. Jerry Beck with the Elnora Volunteer Fire Department said volunteers should meet at North Daviess Jr.-Sr. High School and they will be bussed into Elnora and Plainville. Beck said do not come into Elnora, as residents are using roads to leave town.
Congressman Brad Ellsworth has just arrived in Elnora to assess the damage and talk with local, state and federal emergency responders.
4:45 p.m. - A voluntary evacuation in Elnora has begun due to flooding above stage levels not seen in a century.
According to emergency managers at the Elnora Volunteer Fire Department, flood waters from this weekend's storms are expected to crest over 30 feet, putting the towns of Elnora, Plainville and Edwardsport at risk for major flooding.
Jerry Beck, Elnora fire cheif and town board president, said a meeting will be held at 7 p.m. where more information will be given.
Volunteers are being sent to the levies at Elnora and Plainville to fill and load sandbags. SR 57 is currently clear, but flood waters are inching closer to the highway. On the way up to Elnora, trucks full of personal belongings like furniture and clothing were seen heading south, away from the flooding.
We will be updating this site and Monday's edition of the Times-Herald with developments.
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