Aerial photos provided by the city of Goshen.

GOSHEN — It’s being called a 500 year flood. Businesses, schools and roads are closed due to record-breaking flooding. Goshen and parts of Elkhart County are experiencing a true disaster.

As of 10 a.m. this morning, Feb. 22, the city of Goshen notified residents that the State of Emergency remains in place. Travel is restricted for only essential needs, such as traveling to work or getting groceries. The city of Elkhart also remains under a State of Emergency.

“Many of these sites will remain above crest state until early next week,” said a representative with the National Weather Service of Northern Indiana. “These waters are not going to recede quickly. That’s going to be one of our big concerns going into this weekend.We are looking at a very prolonged event, which is the main point we want to get across.”

In March of 1982, the Elkhart River hit its highest point at 11.89 feet. As of now, the Elkhart River is at 12.4 feet in Goshen with a projection of reaching 13.2 feet..

The city of Goshen has closed Plymouth Avenue, Lincoln Avenue and Pike Street river crossings, meaning the city has been divided in half by this flood. For exiting the city, commuters are to use SR 15 to Wilden Avenue to exit west, SR 15 to exit north and CR 32 to exit east.

Many areas of the city have been evacuated due to gas and electricity being shut off. The fire department has been using boats to safely evacuate residents. Shelter locations are available at the First Baptist Church, 1011 South Indiana Ave., and Maple City Chapel, 2015 Lincolnway East.

Please exercise on the side of caution if you must be out today. Never drive through standing water; there is no way to ascertain the depth of the water or the condition of the roadway beneath the water.

If you need assistance or are aware of any special needs resident in need of assistance during this time, please contact the Elkhart County Public Service Communications Center at (574) 533-4151 or 911 for emergencies.

Sandbags are available at the following locations:

• Elkhart County Highway Garage, 59308 C.R. 7, Elkhart
• Elkhart City Street Department, 2421 South 17th St., Elkhart
• West Side Middle School (Parking lot on Nappanee St.), 101 S. Nappanee St., Elkhart
• North Side Middle School (Parking lot near the track on Bristol St.), 300 Lawrence St., Elkhart
• Riverview Park Softball Complex (Parking lot on Riverview Ave. behind Riverview Elementary School), 340 Riverview Ave., Elkhart
• Pierre Moran Pool (Parking lot on Lusher Ave. behind Pierre Moran School), 200 W. Lusher Ave., Elkhart
• Boy Scout Camp Parking Lot, located on C.R. 46 west of Ind. 15 about ½ mile on the north side.
• Goshen City residents ONLY: 475 Steury Ave. Goshen, Goshen Street Department.
• Nappanee Street Department, 849 E. Wabash St., Nappanee, IN 46550