Although the town’s water still needs boiling and hundreds of homes remain damaged, Cambridge City businesses have begun rebounding from the flood and students are back in school.

“We know there is still a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, but we are continuing to work every day to help Cambridge City recover,” the town’s social media said. “Thank you for your patience, your resilience and for helping us keep this process organized. Cambridge City is going to rebuild. Together!”

Jim McLane, town council president, told WWN’s newsgathering partner WISH-TV that 175 homes suffered major flood damage with water entering primary living spaces, while another 75 homes experienced basement flooding. The city building was destroyed, along with much of its equipment.

“(It will take) weeks at least to get rid of the debris only,” McLane said. “And then after that, months for residents to get their homes cleaned up or, you know, some of them probably won’t even be able to rebuild. So it’s a long, long road.”

Flood damage is piled outside a Cambridge City building on Aug. 17, waiting to be hauled away. 

Updates at a glance

  • Town council was to conduct a special public meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at Lincoln Middle/High School, 205 E. Parkway Drive, Cambridge City, to discuss emergency matters and financing for the town and council as a result of the flood.
  • As of press time, Cambridge City’s water supply hasn’t passed a series of required tests to lift the boil order. The well was being resanitized on Thursday, Aug. 20, and additional testing is required after that’s completed. Town leaders said they expect it would likely be Aug. 28 or later before the boil order can be lifted. They apologized for the inconvenience but want to ensure water is safe. Updates will be available through the town’s Facebook page.
  • Organizers confirmed the Sept. 12 ticketed Lincoln alumni breakfast at LMHS, and the Class of 1976’s reunion and evening public concert at Creitz Park Pavilion, are still happening.
  • Cambridge City residents who need to schedule well testing through Wayne County Health Department can do so by calling 765-973-9245 option 2.
  • Dumpsters have been placed at town property, 152 S. Green St., and will be available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and until noon Saturdays for flood-related debris.

Residents are to separate items into six categories to help the town qualify for federal funding.

A family’s flood-damaged belongings sit outside a Cambridge City home. Photo by Millicent Martin Emery

They are: normal household trash; vegetative debris; construction/demolition; appliances; electronics; and household hazardous waste such as chemicals.

  • Town leaders are coordinating a curbside debris collection team to assist residents who might not have the ability to transport their debris to the dumpsters. More information is forthcoming.
  • Thirty-four volunteers helped in the town Thursday, Aug. 20, through International Disaster Emergency Service, which is being coordinated through nearby New Lisbon Christian Church. Volunteers are encouraged to register for any length of time at ides.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=117146.
  • While the town’s curfew ended Aug. 19, Cambridge City Police Department told WWN they would continue to monitor the situation and investigate reports of theft during the recovery.

Later that day, CCPD, WCSO and dispatchers collaborated on the arrest of a man from out of town they say took personal belongings placed outside after the flood. He was arrested on multiple preliminary counts of theft.

On Aug. 18, they announced they caught a person attempting to take an appliance outside a home, and told the suspect to get out of town.

Business

Some businesses are reopening while a few others are getting closer to that occasion.

National Road Antique Mall at 39 W. Main St., which didn’t get flood water on the retail levels, has reopened. New Castle-based Junque in the Trunk Vendor Mall is encouraging thrift and antique enthusiasts to gather at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at National Road Antique Mall and to shop and eat locally that afternoon.

Chicago’s Pizza announced Aug. 19 that a new heating/cooling/ventilation system was being installed that day, and extensive remediation had taken place to decontaminate and dry the basement. Later updates noted the pizzeria at 109 W. Main would reopen Monday, Aug. 24, but with temporary changes such as only offering carry-out food and bottled beverages until the boil advisory is lifted.

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A version of this article appeared in the August 26 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.

Millicent Martin Emery is a reporter and editor for the Western Wayne News.