State Of Emergency Declared By Mayor Of Goshen
GOSHEN — Mayor Jeremy Stutsman and Elkhart County Commissioners have declared the City of Goshen under a state of emergency due to flooding.
Traffic is limited to first responders, emergency personnel and hospital staff. Residents are asked to call 574-533-4151 for non-emergency assistance. All city offices are closed to the public. Essential city personnel will report for duty.
“We are experiencing severe flooding with record river levels. Please limit all travel. If you are already at work it is up to each business to decide when they release. If you are not at work we are asking you to stay home,” Stutsman said in a post on the city’s Facebook page. “City crews are working hard to manage issues as best as possible.”
The Elkhart River is at about 11.92 feet as of 9 a.m., surpassing the previous record of 11.9 feet, according to city officials. Many roads are closed due to flooding. Creekside Mobile Home Park has been evacuated.
In a phone call Wednesday, Stutsman clarified that residents returning home from work would not be ticketed, but anyone out and about would be asked to go home or could be ticketed.
Residents are asked to help by doing the following:
- Do not let children play with or go into the water. Due to the amount of water, currents are forming, and can pull the children into an open manhole. Water will also likely have bacteria.
- Don’t drive through high water. Don’t drive around barricades placed by the city — they are placed there for safety.
- The Utilities Department is asking residents to conserve water as much as possible.
- Report areas of high water.
Elkhart County officials have also instituted a travel advisory, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security website.
A warning has been issued, meaning that “conditions are threatening to the safety of the public.” Only essential travel — such as to and from work or in emergency situations — is recommended.
“Emergency Management Services has been busy all night with evacuating people, setting up shelters and assisting with people asking for sand bags,” Commissioner Mike Yoder wrote on his Facebook page, along with an announcement about the travel advisory.
A phone number has been established for Elkhart residents seeking updates on the flooding, including information regarding shelters and emergency transportation. This phone number is 574-293-8931.
SANDBAGS AVAILABLE
- Elkhart County Highway Garage, 59308 C.R. 7, Elkhart
- Elkhart City Street Department, 2421 South 17th St., Elkhart
UPDATED LIST OF ROADS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING:
1. Indiana Avenue between Five Points Park and Plymouth Avenue
2. Pike Street closed at Chicago Avenue
3. Chicago Avenue from Pike Street to Lincoln Avenue
4. Lincoln Avenue at Five Points Park and Second Street
5. Wilkinson South between Huron and Denver Street
6. Bashor Road at city limits
7. Indiana Avenue north of Wilden Avenue
8. Lincoln Avenue east of Steury Avenue
9. Plymouth Avenue from Third Street to Indiana Avenue
Source: Goshen News