MOUNT VERNON — Heavy rains from a late winter thunderstorm early this morning caused some problems for area residents. Ken Seitz of 776 Southridge Drive, like many area residents, awoke to the sounds of the thunderstorm. He then heard a cracking sound coming from his basement wall. “Then came a loud cave-in,” Seitz told the News. He made a call to 9-1-1, and local emergency personnel responded to the scene. Utility company representatives also responded to temporarily shut off service at the residence.
Seitz has been in the process of building an additional room onto the rear of his house. A footer had been dug to pour a foundation for the room, leaving an open trench before any concrete is poured. This morning’s torrential rain filled up the trench, and the buildup of water produced enough pressure against the side of the house to cause the masonry block wall in the basement to collapse.
About 4 feet of water had already poured into the basement this morning. Nobody was hurt in the incident, according to Mount Vernon Fire Chief Chris Menapace.
Residents of Dry Creek Manor heard noises of water running under their trailers in the Columbus Road complex, including Harry Smith, who told the News there was no water in his trailer that sits parallel to Dry Creek but water removed skirting and other items from under his privately-owned structure.
According to residents, within a period of five or 10 minutes, the water rose quickly and swiftly flooded the area with residents like Angela Peck later finding lawn decorations on the opposite side of the complex. Elizabeth Phillips showed the News how the rising water filled the floorboards of her car. One tenant is still missing a tire and owner Jay Maners continued to look for the complex’s Dumpster at press time.
Some tenants had already left their homes by 8 a.m. this morning, other gathered where the water had receded to make sure everyone was accounted for.
Columbia Gas and American Electric Power was called to the area to determine if any utility shut offs would be necessary.
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