1,000 sand bags later: Bluffton take a breather

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Monday's flooding from the Main Street bridge looking toward the Buckeye

One thousand sand bags.

That's the number of bags created in advance and distributed throughout the village as a result of Monday's flood, according to Rick Skilliter, police chief.

To read more flood stories, view videos and photos click here.

Village officials realized on Sunday that the possibility of a flood was great. On Sunday afternoon, after watching the weather forecast, Jamie Mehaffie, village administrator, met with Skilliter and Jon Kinn, fire chief. The three worked out a plan in the event that flood would occur.

"We had nearly every male athlete from Bluffton University help us on Sunday," Skilliter said. "They put together about 500 sand bags. Then today (Monday) we put together about 500 more."

He added that McDonald's Restaurant donated refreshments to the volunteers.

The bags were quickly put to good use, and as Skilliter says, certainly two or three properties were saved from major flooding because of them.

Although the flood tally is still underway, here's what was known on Monday evening and here's what happens next:

o At least eight homes had water completely filling their basements and water enter the first floor. That number will probably increase after a more complete report is made.

o Twenty-two persons were evacuated from flooded areas and sheltered at Marbeck Center.

o Residents who experienced major flooding need to contact the police department. Russ Decker of the Allen County Emergency Management Agency will visit Bluffton Tuesday to do a damage assessment. In order to qualify for damage assistance, the police department needs residential information.

o Five dumpsters will be located in Bluffton for persons who need to dump water-logged items. Two dumpsters will be at the village recycling center. Other dumpsters will be located on Vance, Riley and Cherry streets.

o Beaverdam-Richland Township fire personnel assisted Bluffton on Monday. They were stationed on the east side of the village when the Riley blocked bridges.

o The rescue boat owned by the Bluffton fire department was used in one rescue.