Homes on Barbee Lake were flooded Friday as heavy rains fell through much as last week. Idle speed limits are in effect on the entire Barbee chain. (Photo by Stacey Page)

A Flood Warning for the Tippecanoe River affecting Kosciusko, Fulton, Marshall, Pulaski and Starke counties has been extended through much of the coming week, but those affected by the high waters are beginning to see some relief.

Moderate flooding continues in the area, especially in the Barbee Chain of Lakes area near North Webster. At 2:45 p.m. today, water in the Tippecanoe River at North Webster was 6.4 feet and steady. Flood stage there is 6 feet.

Matt Sandy, assistant planner for Kosciusko County, was out surveying flood waters in the Barbee area late this week and said that, while some areas are greatly affected, “compared to other years, it’s not that bad. Certainly not as bad as the flood of ’08-09.”

Susie Rhoades, pictured on the steps of her home to the left, wasn’t sure what she was going to do on Thursday as water continued to rise on B61H Lane.

Sandy, who has been monitoring the U.S. Geological Survey gauges, said the flooding had leveled off “which is a good sign. The bad thing is areas downstream could see some flooding as the water rises.”

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has restricted boats on the Barbee chain to idle speed only. Several areas are seeing houses surrounded by water. Susie Rhoades of EMS B61H Lane, was nearly ready to abandon her home on Thursday when the water surrounded it.

Syracuse Lake and Lake Wawasee were fortunately not badly affected by recent flooding. (Photo by Stacey Page)

From the back steps of her home she communicated across the flooded road saying, “NIPSCO was out today and shut off the gas so we have no heat. They didn’t give us a warning or anything, just said it was too dangerous.”

Rhoades was not sure what she was going to do if the water continued to rise, but was keeping a close eye on her septic system. “If that water goes over the top, we have no toilet and that’s not good,” she said.

Much of the flooding throughout the county has been attributed to debris buildup along the Tippecanoe River (see related). To help raise the remaining funds necessary to begin work clearing the river, visit the Grace College giving page and direct your donation to Kosciusko County Lakes and Streams.

The flood warning for the Tippecanoe River is now in effect until late Wednesday night.