Sep 16, 2008 5:14 pm US/Central
I-80/94 Closed In Indiana, Flooding Woes Continue
LAKE STATION, Ind. (CBS) ―
-
-
Flooding swamps Munster, Ind.
Vi/CBS
Days after record rainfall, some major roadways in the area are still shut down, leading to detours and more frustration for drivers.
Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels signed an executive order Tuesday declaring a state disaster emergency for Lake and Porter counties. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated from Munster, and several hundred more have been forced from their homes in other towns in the region.
The Indiana Department of Transportation reported the cause of much of the flooding in northwest Indiana was a levee break in Hammond. The department said the Little Calumet River levee near Kennedy Avenue in Hammond failed late Sunday morning, prompting the closure of the Borman Expressway.
Early INDOT reports said that floodwater broke the levee, while the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission and the Army Corps of Engineers water said they thought the water only topped the levee.
"There was an area that looked like it broke," said INDOT spokesperson Angie Fegaras. "The issue is that water came over the levee onto the road," which is when the closure happened.
"Gone…we have nothing," said flood victim Marie Harris. "But I do thank God that we do have our life."
Harris and her children are calling a Red Cross shelter home now, and donations from Good Samaritans are almost all they have. But they also have the memories of escaping the flood.
"It was kind of scary. I felt like crying," said China Harris.
CBS 2 Northwest Indiana Bureau Chief Pamela Jones reports the Harrises are among the almost 80 people staying at the Lake Station Boys & Girls Clubs building. It's filled with clothes, food and other items to help those in need.
"Like everybody else these are the only clothes I've got right now," said flood victim Donnie Demo. "I've been wearing this for the last three days."
A river now runs through the area where their homes used to stand.
Central Avenue is covered with water and closed now.
The people who own a nearby farm can only travel by boat to check on the animals that survived.
"There's no one been down here to even help," said flood victim Troy Clayton.
Neighbors here say water being forced out of other communities has to go somewhere - and often ends up pooling here.
"Most of our water came from Munster," said victim Leila Barnes. "They got water to the calf. … We need boats to go to our homes."
On area roads, drivers are suffering too. I-80/94 is closed, forcing drivers off in search of roads that are clear, often in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
And with all the flooding -- some people in northwest Indiana can't get their mail. Mail service is delayed for homes in the 463 and 464 zip codes.
That includes people in parts of Cedar Lake, Crown Point, East Chicago, Gary and Merrillville. Those residents must pick up their mail at the local post office.
(CBS 2 and the Post-Tribune are news partners covering stories in the communities of northwest Indiana. Send story tips to tips@cbs2chicago.com. (© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Celebrity Watcher: Real Or Fake?
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
