Conditions continued to worsen Thursday as flooding displaced some residents from their homes and exhausted the resources of volunteers and street departments.
Some of the worst flooding in Warsaw occurred along Sunset Drive, which is surrounded by a channel that runs around Pike Lake.
Ron and Jeanette Norman's home on Sunset Drive was surrounded by water Thursday afternoon. The Normans, along with help from their family, began putting down sandbags Wednesday afternoon and also have been running water pumps around the house.
"In 36 years (since we've lived here) we've never had flooding like this," said Jeanette Norman.
The Norman's son-in-law, Greg Estepp, who works for the city of Nappanee, said they are able to get in and out of the house provided they're wearing waders.
While the Normans decided to stay in their home during the flood, some families have been displaced.
"We've got three families, about 15 people, we're putting up in a hotel because of high water," said Larry Peppel, executive director of the Kosciusko County chapter of the American Red Cross.
Peppel said the Red Cross hasn't opened a shelter yet but will provide one if the need arises.
On the Warsaw side of Winona Lake, residents at the end of Country Club Lane are dealing with nearly foot-deep water in their cul de sac.
Chris and Cindy Katris, along with their children, decided to leave their home for a night Thursday rather than have to deal with the water rising any more.
"We had a sea wall built two years ago and this morning the water had come over it," said Cindy Katris.
According to Warsaw city officials, the three worst locations for flooding are off of Country Club Road on the Warsaw side of Winona Lake, Between Biscayne and Sunset Drive near Pike Lake and Osborn Landing off North Lake Street. All three of those locations are closed and non-residents of those areas are advised to stay away from those areas.
That doesn't include other areas in Winona Lake and around the county that are flooded.
The flooding has stressed the resources of street departments around the county.
"You can only do so much," said Warsaw Street Department Superintendent Lacy Francis. "You feel sorry for (the people affected by the flooding)."
Warsaw Street Department crews have been delivering sandbags to homes.
Francis also said the flooding will cause the conditions of roads around town to worsen.
Winona Lake Worsens
Winona Lake Public Works Director Pete O'Connell said his crews have been splitting 12-hour shifts.
Cottages off of Park Avenue in Winona Lake have water running up to their doorsteps, and the water has run nearly 500 feet past the shoreline.
O'Connell, who lives at one of those cottages, said his crew has done all it can to get rid of the water.
"We've had pumps going, all of our lift stations are full," said O'Connell.
In fact, a lift station located in the Stone Camp addition of Winona Lake became submerged after Cherry Creek, which runs behind the east end of Stone Camp, flooded.
O'Connell also said they've had to hire Weed Septic Tank Service to transport thousands of gallons of wastewater to Warsaw's plant.
In a tour of affected areas, O'Connell pointed out a home at the corner of Roy and Marjorie streets in the Southtown Addition where overflowing water from Lake John caused water to gush onto the property.
On Court Street in Winona Lake, the home of Carol Piecuch was in danger of flooding with any more significant rainfall.
Large areas of standing water in yards along Boys City Drive in Winona Lake is the norm rather than the exception.
Low-lying points of Snake Island, also known as "The Island" at Winona Lake, have also been damaged by flood waters.
What's Next?
Mike Sabones, meteorologist in charge at the Northern Indiana National Weather Service, Syracuse, said that a gauge of the Tippecanoe River in Oswego is still rising while one in North Webster is starting to level off.
The progression of flooding from the outer-lying areas of the county moving into Warsaw and Winona Lake doesn't surprise Sabones.
"Flooding starts out in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage, and then as the water continues to build up, the problems shift to rivers and lakes," said Sabones.
To track weather in the area, visit www.weather.gov/iwx
No Lakes Closed Yet
Department of Natural Resources officer John Salb said that currently no lakes in the area have been closed, though the DNR is keeping close watch on water levels.
The Community Acts
Thursday afternoon, volunteers gathered at the bridge on Sunset Drive to load up sand bags.
Donny Burton, an ABATE member, decided to round up fellow members to help fill bags.
ABATE members worked both at Sunset Drive and the two Embarq locations loading sand into bags. Grace College and Warsaw Community High School students were among other volunteers at the Sunset Drive site.
The American Red Cross Kosciusko County Chapter had volunteers set up at various locations to provide volunteers with canteens.
Lynette Merkler, who lives on the side of the channel without flooding, also volunteered, while her husband, John, a postal worker, spent Wednesday night checking on elderly residents.
Though Merkler's home wasn't damaged by the flood waters, she was thankful for the help of volunteers in her neighborhood.
The World Compassion Network, headed by Joe Wilke, worked alongside Warsaw city workers to deliver sand bags to residents in need.
"We know whenever we have something like this happen, we'll have people like Joe who will come out and help," said Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins who, along with Warsaw city councilman Kyle Babcock, were helping fill sandbags at Sunset Drive Thursday afternoon.
Wiggins and Babcock toured other areas affected by the flood waters.
How To Help
Warsaw City Superintendent Lacy Francis said that anyone who wants to volunteer should go to the sites affected and help load bags.
Peppel said that anyone interested in donating money should donate to the National Disaster Relief Fund.
