The recent flooding has provided some record and near record totals for Salem.
Swirling flood waters moved this car downstream on Blue River west of Salem.
WSLM RADIO reported their rainfall totals to the National Weather Service of Louisville on Friday.
According to station owner Becky White, the WSLM WEATHER STATION measured 5.58 inches in about an hour on Friday afternoon.
“The rain was coming down in sheets,” said White. “Then there was hail, more rain and hail again.”
That amount of rain was enough to swell Brock Creek and Blue River and other small creeks that raised the flood level to 18 feet in Salem, which was a foot above the 2004 flood.
According to the US Geological Survey, the Blue River at Salem, IN crested at 20.15 feet just after midnight Friday.
This beats the old record stage for the site by 3 feet
There is a boil water advisory for about 750 customers of the East Washington Rural Water Corporation, according to EWRWC Manager Nathan Risen.
Risen said customers with accounts starting with 41 and 42 are advised to boil their water until further notice.
A boil-water advisory is a public health advisoryor directive given by government or health authorities to consumers when a community’s drinking water is, or could be, contaminated by pathogens.
The water that comes out of the tap should not be used for drinking, brushing your teeth, cooking or washing fruits and vegetables and should be boiled
Bring water to a rolling boil for a minimum of one minute.
When it cools, refrigerate the water in clean containers.
A pinch of salt per quart may improve the rather flat taste of boiled water.
Risen said there are many customers without water today, but did not give a number.
“We ran a temporary line across the spillway and got some water into the system last night,” he said. “We are going to run another line to try and get some more water to our tower today.”
If you do not want to boil your water, you can disinfect it by adding 1/8 teaspoon of bleach (common household bleach containing 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Do not use bleach containing perfume, dyes, or other additives.
It is not necessary to boil tap water used for other household purposes, such as showering, laundry, or bathing.
Adults, teens, and older children can wash, bathe, or shower; however, they should avoid swallowing the water.
Utility poles along High Street in Salem were snapped off from the weight of the water pressure pulling on the lines.This semi-truck and trailer was moved in the swirling flood.Danny Walton, owner of Guitar Strings and Things and Danny’s Heating and Cooling, said he lost three trucks in the flood. He found one down river surrounded by water and gravel.This car and three semi trailers were swept down river.These fuel tanks – which were empty – swept into the bridge on Main Street.Washington County Council member Ben Bowling talks with Jason Cockerill, one of US Represenative Trey Hollinsworth’s team, as well as Washington County Commissioners Preston Shell and Phil Marshall.Washington County Emergency Management Agency Director Desi Alexander talks with state EMA personnel.Rain fell last night – 6 inches in about 45 minutes, which caused Blue River to swell to a new 100-year high of 18 feet.
Friday night was scheduled to be one of celebration in Salem, with the annual Friday Night on the Square festival.
But it ended in chaos as 18 feet of water flooded three main areas of the city — Water Street, East Market Street and Main Street in the city, bringing ruined businesses, no electricity and millions of dollars in damage due to flash flooding along Brock Creek and Blue River.
Heavy thunderstorms moved into the area and dumped nearly six inches of rain within 45 minutes.
According to the US Geological Survey, Blue River crested last night at 18 feet at 8:15p.
That’s almost a foot above the last major flood from Blue River, which swelled its banks in 2004 to a whopping 17.1 feet.
“It wasn’t looking good for the festival,” said Becky White, WSLM owner who was planning on bringing her KARAOKE LIVE to the annual event. “We – along with many other organizations and businesses – had been getting ready all morning and when the weather warnings broke out, it was pretty clear the festival was going to be cancelled.”
With severe thunderstorm warnings cropping up over much of the WSLM LISTENING AREA, tornadoes were also spotted in English and Jefferson County, IN.
Many feel this is worse than the Flood of 2004, in which cars were swept off Water Street and several businesses were ruined.
White said the station’s weather equipment measured around 6″ of total rainfall for the day, bringing the total for May up to over 10 inches.
Danny Walton, who owns and operates Danny’s Heating and Air Conditioning, which is near Blue River, said his business is a loss.
“This is way worse than what was the 100 year flood ten years ago,” said Walton. “This is like a 1000 year flood! I looked out the door at one point, and one of my trucks was gone. We lost everything in the building. We lost three trucks.”
Walton said they were swept down Blue River, along with semi-trucks from a nearby lot, and all of that is now stuck under the Main Street bridge.
One of his trucks was spotted this morning, about a quarter-mile west of his store; sunk in deep and surrounded by Blue River’s gravel down to the window line.
Walton also owns Guitars Strings and Things and said a lot of the equipment is ruined, as well as his air conditioning equipment.
“I kept working and saw water coming under the door,” Walton said. “I had 3-4 feet of water in the building and had to call 911. I didn’t want to open the door until I saw what it was like.”
Joe Kacknavage, owner of Salem Lumber, was in good spirits late in the evening, watching the surrounding lumber bob in the water.
“We’re about six foot under water,” he said. “Back in 2004, we got up to about four feet. All the way through the store – we had lumber floating down the creek…over a six foot fence.”
Kacknavage said he was at home doing chores and by the time he got back to the store it was too late. “I can’t get in. It’ll be down in the morning. We’ll have lumber up and down the street. It will be scattered everywhere. It’s done. We’ve lost everything at the feed mill — bagged feed and everything. There will be people in here Saturday morning but we can’t help them.”
Other businesses along Water Street and Main Street were flooded, including the lot containing El Camino, Subway and others.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
Emergency workers in southern Indiana converged on Salem to rescue people from high water.
There have been no injuries reported so far, but crews made several water rescues.
“It just rained and rained and rained, and next thing you know, this is what you got,” said Salem Mayor Troy Merry. “It’s a heartbreaking situation, but we will get through it.”
He said there were no mandatory evacuations at this point, but there was a travel advisory in place. People were being asked not to leave their homes Friday night.
People were circulating that Washington County was under a state of emergency Friday evening about 7p.
WSLM contacted Desi Alexander, Washington County Emergency Management Agency Director and she clarified that the City of Salem and other areas were under an Emergency Travel Restriction.
“Basically, we were trying to get everyone off the roads for their protection and so emergency personnel could get around,” she said this morning. “It’s still a good idea to stay home and stay out of the way of emergency workers.”
Indiana Department of Homeland Security said a travel warning had been issued for the area. A travel warning is the highest level of local travel advisory. It means that travel can be restricted to emergency responders only.
Indiana DHS is asking that people in that area:
Refrain from all travel;
Comply with necessary emergency measures;
Cooperate with public officials and disasters services forces in executing emergency operations plans; and
Obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.
Water rescues were underway last night at several places around the county, including on Elizabeth Street. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources used an air boat to help those stranded in their homes to get out.
CLEANING UP
Duke Energy stayed on the scene trying to get power back to what their outtage map website showed at one time to be around 1,700 people.
This morning, Chip Orban, Duke Energy Government and Community Relations spokesperson, said the flooding put pressure on lines in the city which snapped several poles.
“We’re got about 650 without power as of now,” Organ said about 9:30a.
He said there were outside contracts, some from as far away as 300 miles, in Salem working to get the power back on.
“We’re trying to isolate [the problem] around the bridge and pick up as many people as we can,” Orban said.
Officials estimate there is millions of dollars in damage.
Walking along Blue River and High Street, workers moved in early to cut trees out of the way so power lines could be repaired.
Dozens of power poles along High Street are snapped off and lay in the street, on top of each other and in one case on one home.
“Before we can energize power back, we have to get the tanks out [from around the bridge], said Washington County Commissioner Phil Marshall. “They were empty and there’s nothing hazardous there. Duke wants to clear out the trees and the two semi-trailers out.”
Two semi-trailers were swept into to the bridge. Both are filled with wet recycled paper, which ads thousands of pounds to the weight of the trailers.
Marshall said large cranes were on the way to pull them out.
“The three phase line has to be rebuilt back to the bridge. It’s going to be two days to get this built back to here. Most of the town is own. Getting it all to mesh together is the big issue,” said Marshall.
Jason Cockerill was on the scene, reaching out on behalf of US Representative Trey Hollingsworth.
Cockerill said the federal money would come when the State of Indiana issued a disaster declaration. Once that was done, then federal monies could and would be released.
Commissioner Rick Roberts said it’s a Catch 22 situation. “We want to clear all of this up, but the disaster monies (which pay 75 percent and we pay 25 percent) only kick in once they have granted the money. Any work we do before that is on Washington County. We have to play by their rules.”
Washington County Council member Ben Boling was on hand to let the commissioners know that whatever was spent in the clean up would be approved.
The American Red Cross is in town and going door to door to both residents and businesses to begin assessing the damage.
Several churches and organizations have reached out to help, including the Care Pregnancy Center and the Washington County Family YMCA serving food in the afternoon.
The Y has also opened its facilities up to those needing showers and somewhere to go while the flood waters recede.
Marshall said their bridge engineer had checked the bridge at Main Street and said it was structurally in good shape.
When the tanks and semi trucks struck the bridge, they demolished a portion of the railing on the east side of the bridge.
It will remain closed until the electric service is repaired.
High Street, parts of Old State Road 60 and Main Street remain closed in spots to local traffic.
In case any business or resident needs to reach Duke Energy, their emergency contact number is 1.800.343.3525
According to Desi Alexander, Washington County Emergency Management Agency Director, Salem and parts of Washington County are under an Emergency Travel Restriction until further notice.
Flooding in Salem, IN
A number of water rescues are underway in the area as high water covers several roads.
Indiana State Police said officers are blocking State Road 56 at Heritage Chapel Road, just east of Salem.
There is no word on any reported injuries at this time.
This is due to several inches of rain falling this afternoon after severe thunderstorms moved through the area after 2p.
The sheriff’s department said they are concerned about additional rain coming into the area Friday night.
Residents are advised to stay home and avoid roadways.
This means law enforcement is asking residents not to be on City of Salem streets and on county roads until the flash flooding subsides.
Some of the areas affected are State Road 56 East by Heritage Chapel, Martinsburg Road and areas in and around Salem.
“Water Street is completely under,” said Alexander. “Seems like it’s concentrated on the area just outside of Salem. There are big lakes out there,” said Alexander. “We need people to go home and stay off the roads. The less people we have out now, the better.”
She said the Washington County Sheriff’s Department is closing roads in the area.
“If you get out, you’ll just be sitting in traffic,” she said.
In addition, a handful of Jackson County REMC customers were without power and over 1700 customers of Duke Energy in the Salem area.
According to Washington County Historian Jeremy Elliott, the Steven’s Museum has received the second coin in the Washington County Heritage Coin Collection.
“They are available for sale at the Stevens Museum, for $15, while supplies last,” said Elliott. “We apologize for the big delay, but apparently our supplier was having serious medical issues, which have now been resolved,” he explained.
This coin features the old Sinclair Lion on the square, on the front, with the date it was carved and the old Salem State Bank, on the reverse, with it’s dates of operation.
All proceeds go to benefit the John Hay Center.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 to 5.
Mrs. Rosa L. Hopkins age 50 of Salem passed away Tuesday, May 16 at her home.
Mrs. Hopkins was born December 2, 1966 in Salem the daughter of Robert L. and Glenna Cornett Johnson. She was a former employee of Cracker Barrel.
Rosa is survived by her husband: Harold Lee Hopkins Jr. They were married July 6, 2001. She is also survived by a son: Justin Young of Salem, a step-daughter: Paige Brown of Salem, her father: Robert Lee Johnson of Salem, two sisters: Tina Johnson Weston and Sondra Johnson Cohoon both of Salem, a step-brother: Jeff Jackson of Seymour, two grandchildren, two nephews and one niece.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Grace E. and Ora E. Johnson, her mother: Glenna Cornett Jackson, a step-son: Nicholas Hopkins, and a niece: Tiffany Kay Payne.
Cremation was chosen and there will be no visitation or services.
This afternoon at 1:05, Indiana State Police and Putnam County emergency agencies responded to a one-vehicle crash in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 35 mile marker.
The crash involved a mortuary services van transporting a deceased person and the only injury was the driver.
Preliminary investigation revealed a black 2013 Dodge Caravan, driven by 49-year-old Matthew J. Fitzthum of Clinton, IN., was westbound on I-70 and traveled off the roadway into the median, ultimately striking a tree.
Fitzthum was transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for treatment of multiple abrasions and pain. Reportedly, he will be admitted for observation.
The deceased elderly female in transport was transferred to another mortuary services vehicle from the same Clinton, IN. mortuary services company owned by Fitzthum.
The investigation is continuing with the possibility of future charges, as alcohol appears to be a factor in this crash. ISP Region V Dispatch Center had received calls just prior to the crash, concerning the driver may be impaired or fatigued.
The crash was investigated by ISP Senior Trooper Bill Bradbury. Assisting was ISP Sergeants Cory Robinson and Jared Nicoson, Cloverdale Town Marshal’s Office, Putnam County EMS, and Cloverdale Fire/Rescue.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This afternoon a 31-year-old Hispanic male from Mexico was killed when his tractor and bush hog ran over him while mowing along I-64 near the 14 mile-marker. He was a contract worker mowing for the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The driver has now been identified as Alvaro Garcia Guzman, 31, of El Portezuelo, Jalisco in Mexico.
He was employed by OLCO Inc., Batesville, IN.
Guzman was pronounced dead at the scene by the Posey County Coroner’s Office.
The Indiana State Police, Posey County Sheriff’s Department and Poseyville Fire Department responded to the incident.
Preliminary investigation revealed the operator was driving a John Deere mowing tractor westbound in the median near the 14 mile-marker when he failed to see a large sink hole.
When the tractor struck the sink hole the operator was thrown from the tractor and onto the ground.
The tractor continued and the bush hog that was being pulled behind the tractor ran over the operator.
The tractor crossed the eastbound lanes and came to a final rest in a wooded area south of I-64 which was closed for approximately two hours while troopers investigated this crash.
Investigating Officer: Trooper Dustan Rubenacker, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officers: Sgt. Russ Werkmeister, Trooper Josh Greer, Trooper Ross Rafferty and Trooper Brandon Deig
Assisting Agency: Posey County Sheriff’s Department and Posey County Coroner’s Office
The crash involved a mortuary services van transporting a deceased person and the only injury was the driver. 
