“We choose to condemn a property if it is a threat to people’s health or safety,” said Gabriel Jones, Health Commissioner for the Champaign County Health District. “We have given them a set of instruction for the shape it needs to be in when we return.”
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In order for residents to be allowed to return to their homes, Jones said the board has to see that, “progress is being made,” to repair water damage.
Water damage occurred after high water forced dozens of Settlers Ridge residents from their homes on Monday morning after the building’s first floor apartments took in about 10 inches of water.
Jones said the board has been working directly with the Settlers Ridge Apartment’s property manager to convey what improvements need to be made.
“He knows what needs to be done in order to show that progress has been made in 48 hours,” Jones said. “But if it is still unsafe, we will keep it condemned.”
Settlers Ridge Apartments office said they had no comment when asked about the flooding.
Michael Funk spent Tuesday cleaning and removing water from his condemned apartment. He said he’s staying with his cousin until his home is safe to return to.
“I’m just going to keep doing what I can,” Funk said. “It’s better than it was yesterday. We will just have to wait and see what happens tomorrow.”
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The American Red Cross was on seen at the apartments Tuesday in order to leave information of residents who, unlike Funk, may need assistance with somewhere to stay.
Lynne Gump, Executive Director for the Northern Miami Valley American Red Cross, said their office has at least five cases open regarding the flooding at Settlers Ridge.
“These are people who have sat down with a case worker,” Gump said. “We are now working to determine what their needs are and how we can assist them.”
Gump said the American Red Cross has made several visits to the Settlers Ridge complex in regard to flooding, as the complex has a history of floods.
“We were there last month and this time last year,” Gump said. “They are pretty historic for flooding.”
Another Settlers Ridge resident, Heather Mattox, said the building flooded just last week, and has seen constant flooding since 2003.
“Everybody knows and they’re not doing nothing,” Mattox said. “It’s ridiculous.”
8: Apartments condemned by the Champaign County Board of Health
48: Hours to show progress has been made to make the apartments safer
At least 5: Open cases with the American Red Cross involving the flooding at Settlers Ridge Apartments
The Springfield News-Sun is committed to covering severe weather in Clark and Champaign county.
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