Iolan Shayne Shaughnessy set up his own version of an early flood warning system.
About a half block from his home at the intersection of South Washington and Rock, Shaughnessy placed a small orange flag.
If the flag goes under water, he will know its time for his family to finish packing and possibly evacuate.
On Tuesday, water had gone past the flag and the cones. By Wednesday morning, it had receded. He was keeping an eye on the flag as rain started again Wednesday afternoon.
Shaughnessy remembers the 2007 flood. Water came up the back steps of the house. He worried that if water levels are higher for this flood, as predicted, it might actually breech the house.
So on Tuesday evening, Shaughnessy brought home a trailer. Family and friends arrived to help load belongings into the trailer or move things such as furniture and sentimental items upstairs.
Were related to a lot of people so were not lacking in help, Shaughnessy explained. It feels good to have that.
Weve had tons of help, his wife, Teri, added.
They cleared the garage first, as it was closer to the flood zone, not far from that flag and the cones. A lone grill sat in the center of the empty garage early Wednesday afternoon. Shayne Shaughnessy grilled hamburgers for a few friends who arrived to help.
If water reaches that orange flag again, hell call for help to move whats left.
All the family is on standby, just in case, he said.
