Flooded Pike Lake residents evacuate, some rescued

By Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Ronald Norman has six inches of floodwater in his home near Pike Lake in Warsaw. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Mar 12, 2009 at 4:14 PM EST

Story Updated: Mar 12, 2009 at 4:35 PM EST

WARSAW — The rising floodwaters are leaving many wondering when they will start to recede.

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Many homeowners on Warsaw's north side near Pike Lake evacuated their homes, and some had to be rescued. Their biggest concern is the worst is not over.

“The people that have been living here for over 30 years, they have never seen it this bad,” said Linda Berger, who is watching the water rise near her home.

Close to 20 homes near Sunset Drive, in the Pike Lake area, are being overtaken by floodwaters. Some residents have evacuated on their own, and property owners in at least one home got out with help from the Warsaw Fire Department.

“I've lived here 37 years, it’s the worst it’s ever been,” said Ronald Norman, who had to evacuate. “We've got six inches of water in the house; we are going to the hotel right now.”

“Conditions are very threatening,” added Mike Berger, whose home is surrounded by water. “We've got a lot of homes that are totally under water inside and there's a lot of effort to salvage what is left.”

A good number of homeowners had been working since Wednesday night, putting up sandbags in and around their homes, in hopes of keeping the floodwaters at bay. Many found, though, they were fighting a losing battle.

“It’s real scary,” Berger said. “Right now we have two pumps going to keep the water at a stable level. We've never been surrounded like this before.”

Warsaw Police Chief Perry Hunter has been to three sites where the floodwaters are causing concern.

“Sunset Drive, as you can see, looking to the south, is the worst,” he showed WSBT News. “Clear up from this point on the bridge, up to Ross Avenue, the road is completely flooded out, and many of the houses along here, at least a couple of them have been lost.”

Homeowners say the lake is expected to crest in the next two days, so they're bracing for even higher water in their neighborhood.

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