By Judy Seifert (Contact / Staff Bio)
February 21, 2009 - 12:10 p.m. EST

TUSCOLA TOWNSHIP — The four feet of water that filled Joe Callahan’s basement last week has receded, but the odds favor its return.

"I believe its just a matter of time - in fact, the next flood," Callahan said. "And I’m angry because no one in Vassar seems to care."

The bi-level house located on Vassar Road across the street from the city’s water treatment plant sits in the flood plain. The three-acre parcel of land became a raging river Feb. 13, when warm weather caused the Cass River to breach its flood stage of 14 feet.

"The water just raced through here, swirling around," Callahan said.

He and his wife Courtney were trying to move everything from the lower level when Callahan said he heard a noise and suddenly the floor heaved below him, lifting him up.

The property is located in Tuscola Township, not Vassar. That’s the reason, Callahan believes, city officials have been quiet.

"The Moore Drain protects the downtown area, that’s all, and that’s all they seem to care about," Callahan said. "They pushed their problem downstream to me."

There’s some hope for the couple, though. Todd Fackler, Tuscola Township supervisor, visited the property on Thursday and said they may be able to help.

"Todd told me the township might buy the property as it’s considered ‘troubled property’," he explained. "He’s going to bring up the problem at the township’s next meeting."

If that doesn’t work, Callahan said he’s not sure what he’ll do next.

"I can’t continue to live here but at the same time, I have an investment here," he added.

Callahan said he valued the property at between $130,000 and $140,000.

Tuscola County Drain Commission Bob Mantey said his office has plans to continue working on improving the flooding problem in Vassar and that would include the flood plain. Callahan hopes those plans include him.

"I just don’t want to go through another one of these floods but I don’t know how anyone can stop it from coming sometime in the future," he said.

Judy Seifert is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at seifert@tcadvertiser.com.