Flood Waters Force Hundreds to Flee
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Flood waters in the northwest and central parts of the state chased hundreds of residents out of their homes. Peoria residents stacked sandbags as the Illinois River reached 5 1/2 feet above flood stage, with a high of 8 feet predicted. In Hillsdale, Fire Chief Rick Mitton took a boat to work as the Rock River covered 95% of the town, forcing most of its 500 residents to flee, he said. Two subdivisions in nearby Erie and 15,000 acres of farmland were also under water, Fire Chief K.B. Melton said.
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