Flooded roads and bridges make for dangerous driving in Elkhart County

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Flooded roads in Elkhart County

Police are warning drivers to be careful as flooded roads and bridges in Elkhart County are making driving dangerous. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jan 8, 2008 at 5:39 PM EST

Story Updated: Jan 8, 2008 at 5:43 PM EST

ELKHART COUNTY — Flooding has lead to treacherous driving conditions in some parts of Elkhart County.

At first light, it was pretty evident that it was not going to be easy getting around some of the roads on the county's west side.

Weather conditions turned roadways into streams and small rivers. It also made a number of bridges impossible to drive over.

“A lot of these bridges are underwater, and this is very, very unusual,” said Chris Burkholder, who lives in the Baugo Creek area. "I guess we'll have to file and get a new address and call it Baugo Lake!”

“The roads are pretty flooded especially around the bridges and the low level lands,” said Jason Cooper, a local driver. “It’s pretty bad in places."

Police say it is very important to pay attention to the road conditions when water levels get this high, especially on county roads near bridges and flooded farm lands.

"You never know when you are coming up with water on the road, how fast the water is moving, what’s going to be in the water, if there’s logs or anything rolling across the road,” said Deputy Nick Minder of the Elkhart County Police. “And also you don’t know if the road is still intact underneath, so we’re just advising to use precaution when coming to points like this on the road, and drive safely.”

In some areas, fields became small lakes. In others, driveways were flooded, making it impossible for homeowners to leave their homes.

The county highway department put up dozens of "road closed" signs around the area. They will remain in place for the next couple of days, until the flood waters subside.

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