Recent storms have dumped so much rain, flash floods warnings span from Des Moines, Iowa, to Michigan and Wisconsin.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Deadly storms and rising rain water has left much of the northern area of the Midwest flooded, collapsing roadways and breeching levees.

Storms have dumped so much rain, flash floods warnings span from Des Moines, Iowa, to Michigan and Wisconsin. At least six people have been reported dead due to the storms.

Indiana has seen its worst flood in modern times, breaking The Great Flood record set in 1913.

"There is flooding on all sides of the city," said Rose Aycock, executive director with Covenant Cooperative Ministry, based in Terre Haute. "Roads have collapsed and government officials are warning everyone that they levees might break."

Area schools have been closed because floodwaters have crept into the hallways and nursing home residents are being evacuated, Aycock said. In the meantime, hundreds of displaced people are taking refuge in a local high school turning to area churches and ministries for help.

Thanks to Operation Blessing, Covenant Cooperative Ministry had 324 cases of drinks on hand to distribute to people in need. Bottled water was also given to aid workers handing out relief supplies as well as sandbagging to stop the rising water.

OBI works with the ministry on a monthly basis supplying food, drinks, hygiene products, diapers and other items for distribution.

Today, OBI teams are en route to Terra Haute to asses needs and set up a command center, construction trailer with tools, a portable shower unit, skid steer loader in order to provide relief to flood victims in that area.

"We have our two cranes on standby as well as all of our other mobile assets including the Hunger Strike Force fleet," said OBI president, Bill Horan.

President Bush has declared major disaster areas in 29 Indiana counties. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said nearly a third of his state's 99 counties need federal help and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle declared 30 counties in a state of emergency.

"I'm glad this partnership was already in place," Aycock said. In addition, relief supplies such as diapers and hygiene products supplied by OBI were distributed to the flood victims. "We are waiting for the area to be declared a federal disaster area," Aycock said. "Until then, the only people who can help are the local ministries and outreach centers. FEMA's hands are tied."

Since people left their homes with only what they could carry, basic hygiene items, diapers, food and water is a necessity.

"Thank goodness we had drinks and supplies on hand from Operation Blessing," Aycock said. "On Saturday, when everything was closed, people didn't have anywhere else to turn."

President Bush has declared major disaster areas in 29 Indiana counties. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said nearly a third of his state's 99 counties need federal help and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle declared 30 counties in a state of emergency.

Horan has met with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, to help assess the situation.

According to The National Weather Service, more heavy rain is possible through the week.

"This problem isn't going to go away when it stops raining," Aycock said. "This recovery will take a long time, even after the floodwaters have receded."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

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