Homes flood on Faith Road, Rescue Squad evacuates one family by boat

Sunday, February 22, 2009 3:09 AM |

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The Rowan Rescue Squad Swift Water team rescued Dr. Paul and Nancy Baker from their home off Faith Road. The water in their home was ankle deep when the rescue came. Baker's daughter and son-in-law are also on the boat with rescue team member Johnny Weddington on the back. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

The Rowan Rescue Squad Swift Water team rescued Kolya Baker, wife Elizabeth and 1-year-old son Andrew from their home off Faith Road. The water in their home was ankle deep when the rescue came. photo by Wayne Hinshaw, Salisbury Post

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

FAITH — At 6 Wednesday morning, water began seeping into Paul Baker's Faith Road home. A few hours later, he and his family were taking a boat ride to drier land — courtesy of the Rowan Rescue Squad.

Baker, a math professor at Catawba College, and six members of his family had to evacuate their home as waters from Crane Creek rose to about a foot deep inside the home they've lived in since 1975.

"This is the worst it's flooded," Baker said, clutching a briefcase.

At least one other home near the Bakers' also flooded, but the owners, Marcel and Phyllis Renn, chose to stay and wait for the waters to recede.

The Baker family had been putting belongings on high shelves before they had to leave.

When it seemed as though there was no way they could stay, they packed a few bags and got into the Rowan County Rescue Squad boat.

The Red Cross is putting Baker and his wife in a local hotel, and his children are staying with friends.

The water reached about 3 feet deep around the Baker home and covered Marcel Renn's beehives.

See Thursday's Post for more details.

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