Plymouth residents and officials prepare as Yellow River continues to rise

by Andrew Sweeney (aesweeney@wsbt.com)

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Plymouth residents filling sandbags as Yellow River flood waters continue to rise

Plymouth residents are filling sandbags as the Yellow River continues to rise. It isn't expected to crest until Friday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jan 10, 2008 at 5:00 PM EST

Story Updated: Jan 10, 2008 at 5:08 PM EST

PLYMOUTH — The Yellow River in Plymouth continues to rise and isn't expected to crest until Friday afternoon.

So far, 38 homes and businesses have had at least part of their utilities shut off. Many homes are now completely surrounded by water.

At last check, no one is staying at the Red Cross Shelter that has been set up at the First United Church of Christ.

Just because no one is at the shelter doesn't mean people haven't left their homes yet. WSBT News spoke with a landlord and his tenant briefly as they were filling up sandbags. The tenant has not gone to the shelter but is staying with relatives as the water continues to rise.

"I was up here this morning before I came into work and it was probably about 25 feet away from the house and it’s actually traveled like 25 feet ahead,” said landlord Don Brady.

The water has been moving a lot faster than Brady thought it would. Even though there is no damage yet, his tenant is no longer staying there.

Just up the river Merl Swihart's house is safe but he's seen worse. That's the consensuses among folks who have been around for a while. This is about the third or fourth highest they've seen the river.

"As bad as it was then, if it waits until tomorrow to crest it can’t get as bad, even then, as it was in '82,” Shirley Donaldson told WSBT News.

Residents said that throughout the day Thursday the flood waters were quickly spreading down their street.

"Last night when I got home it wasn't quite as bad, but I mean there was still a lot of water,” Jessie Wireman said.

Evacuations aren't mandatory yet, but as the water continues to rise, they could be.

"We're not sure yet, if it gets colder and colder that's very possible especially if they don't have heat or gas or electric,” said Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter.

The Red Cross shelter will be open through Saturday morning if people to want to take advantage of it.

Officials also say they have everything they need for evacuations in place, including boats to rescue people if need be.

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