Two rivers rise; drown streets

DEFIANCE, Ohio (WANE) - Defiance, Ohio is saturated by two rivers bursting at the seams. The Maumee and Auglaize rivers converge downtown. Six families have already left. Two are trying to stick it out.

"The homes that we're concerned about are in Kingsberry area and Riverside Avenue," says EMA Director Julie Rittenhouse.

The Maumee river is expected to crest Wednesday. The Auglaize was already three feet above flood stage Tuesday evening. And inch by inch, it creeps closer to Rebecca Osborn's home.

"Ya know. This happens," says Osborn.

She's seen the Auglaize flood year after year. This year is no different.

"There's really not any reason to leave, unless the electric goes out or something and I have to leave. And then they'll come up and get a boat and make me leave."

She also adds her house sits higher than her neighbors'. One house on Auglaize Ave. sits like an island surrounded by water. The family living there opted to tough it out and stay in their home, hoping sandbags will do the trick.

"The volunteer connection came in today with 30 volunteers. And we filled about 500 sandbags," says Rittenhouse. "We've given away about 200 sandbags so far."

Rittenhouse doesn't expect any more homes to be effected in the Kingsberry area. The county's focus is now turned to Riverside, where the Maumee continues to rise.