High water and wind threaten homes

SANDUSKY — Rising water and larger waves have many residents along the lake concerned for their homes.Residents of the Chaussee, Cedar Point Road, and Cove Park Boulevard near Lockwood Avenue are used to contending with high water, but this year, there's a concern it could be worse. The lake is higher than normal this year because of heavy rainfall and melting snow from earlier this year."The lake levels are high and we notice a magnified effect when there is a wind from the Northeast," said Tim Jonovich, director of the Erie County Emergency Management Agency.The wind from the Northeast tends to raise the lake level in this area and cause larger waves, but its more noticeable this year because of the increased water level."The lake is sort of like a big tub if you pushed the water to one end," said Kirk Lombardy, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Cleveland. "What happens is when the wind comes in from the Northeast it lowers the water in the Buffalo area and pushes it to this area where it raises the level."Lombardy said this is especially a problem along low-lying areas near the water like the Chaussee and Cove Park."When the water level rises the lake pushes into the shore, causing these areas to become inundated with water," Lombardy said. "These areas have been in near constant flood warning since late winter."Jonovich said the emergency management agency is aware of the flooding issues along Cedar Point Road and is monitoring the situation with the National Weather Service to find the trouble areas.Homeowners along the cove off Cedar Point Road are especially concerned about the risks the rising water pose to their houses and businesses."I think that every resident who lives on or near the bay or lake is alarmed by the high water we are experiencing," said Sandusky city commissioner Dick Brady, who lives on Willow Drive off Cedar Point Road.Sarah Peugeot, who also lives on Willow Drive with her husband Gregg, said the water level in the cove behind her house is higher than she's ever seen."Our sea wall is completely under water so my husband had to make some makeshift steps to be able to get on our boat," Peugeot said. "The water is so high that its formed algae and has made it pretty slippery."Peugeot's house sits on a hill, so they luckily haven't experienced some of the flooding issues she's heard her neighbors have had. Brady fears there might be very little that businesses and homes along the water can do if this weather continues."An extended North Easterly with the water at this level would prove to be catastrophic for residents and business' on the water," Brady said. "It was 30 years ago when we experienced this same situation. There was very little we could do then to prevent it, and there is very little we can do now. The reality is that Mother Nature and Father Time are both undefeated."Flood insurance can pay for repairs if a home is damaged by the water. The amount of damage the insurance will cover depends on the policy and the worth of the property, All-State Insurance agent Tony Haerr said.Has your property flooded recently? Send us your photos to news@sanduskyregister.com.Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterStanding water fills the road of Lurie Lane, off Cedar Point Road, along with the driveway of a house on Monday, June 17, 2019, in Sandusky.Water resides in the backyard of a home on Lurie Lane, off Cedar Point Road in Sandusky on Monday, June 17, 2019.Water floods the road of Lurie Lane, off Cedar Point Road, in Sandusky on Monday, June 17, 2019.Water covers East Farwell and Second streets in Sandusky on Monday, June 17, 2019.