Lake Sallateeksa | “We’re wet. We’re experiencing a lot of water, but everything is draining well.” That was the word from Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp Manager Brock Vandever around noon on Tuesday (July 16), after the camp received six inches of rain in 6-hours, with more in the forecast as it hosts its final week of IBSA Summer Camps for the season.
The camp is currently hosting a week of IBSA Student Camp led by Camp Director Scott Slone with campers in grades 7-12. Due to the rain, Vandever said they “are doing indoor activities.” The student camp is one of the season’s largest, with 155 students and volunteers present.
The water has risen over the banks of Lake Sallateeska. Photo courtesy Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp
The heavy precipitation caused a dam in nearby Nashville, Ill., to fail causing the residents in the area around the Nashville City Reservoir to be evacuated. There is no immediate danger to Lake Sallateeka Baptist Camp. The camp is located 10 miles south of the dam and is on higher ground. “I don’t foresee any safety issues,” said Vandever.
The actual lake at the camp is in a valley but “all of our building are on high ground,” said Vandever. He did note that the lake level is “higher than I’ve ever seen it.”
“The kids are still having fun,” he said. “We have power, electricity, we’re fine.”
Vandever stated if there were any changes at the camp, “We’ll notify parents immediately.”
Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers had been on standby to assist in feeding and flood recovery efforts in the Nashville area on Tuesday afternoon, but were given stand down orders the following day as the damage was not as severe as expected.