The National Weather Service reported that our area received nearly four inches of rain in an hour during the night, quickly filling all of our ditches, detention ponds and waterways. This has led to standing water throughout Portage and Northwest Indiana with nowhere to go until the waterways subside.
We have our entire street and utility crews out working to ensure storm drains are cleared of debris; however, keep in mind that the water will not drain until those waterways have subsided. We have seen a slow but steady decrease in water levels throughout the area and will continue to monitor the situation.
I would like to give you some telephone numbers that you can call for specific concerns or requests regarding this situation. If you believe that you have sewage backing up into your home, please contact our Utility Service office at 762-1301. If you have storm water backing up into your home from standing water in your area, please call 762-5425. If you have standing water blocking your streets, please inform us at 762-4564. Again, there is little that we can do with standing water until our waterways subside, so your patience is essential.
Lastly, please stay away from any standing water, especially if it is in your basement, due to electrical hazards. Also, please do not open any sewer outlets throughout the City. You can help by removing debris from the opening of manholes, but removal is extremely dangerous and illegal.