The City of Salem has declared a local emergency effective immediately due to widespread flooding impacting many areas of the community. It remains in effect until seven Saturday morning. Only emergency travel should be undertaken during this time.
Mayor Nic Farley says roadways have become impassable and dangerous in multiple locations.
Emergency services are currently inundated with calls and are working diligently to respond as quickly and effectively as possible. The city appreciates your patience and cooperation as city crews continue to prioritize the safety of all residents.
Farley says they urge everyone to stay in a safe location, avoid flooded areas, and refrain from travel unless absolutely necessary.
Salem Public Works Director Travis Sanders says the water over the spillway at the Salem Reservoir is believed to be at its highest level ever, around 30 inches over the spillway. The meter stopped working at 28 inches. Flood stage is 18 inches over the spillway.
A total of five inches of rain has been received at the Salem Water Treatment Plant through ten Friday night.
Water is now into some of the mobile homes in the Starlight Mobile Home Park, but all are believed to have been evacuated.
Centralia Police and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department are also asking people to stay off the road due to the number of flooded and impassable roads. The sheriff’s department and Iuka Fire Department completed one successful water rescue from a vehicle in deep water on Bee Branch Road in rural Iuka earlier Friday night.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says as of 10:30 Friday night, West Main in Death Valley on the west side of Salem and the bridge on East Main east of the underpass that drains the CE@I Reservoir is impassable. North Broadway at Oglesby is also underwater, as is Route 37 south of Salem in usual flooding locations near Levy Road.
Watch and listen for further updates on WJBD-FM, SouthernIllinoisNow.com and the Salem Emergency Services Facebook page.
