SOUTH HAVEN, Ind. (WOWO): Northwestern Indiana police say firefighters used boats to rescue 18 people after floodwaters from heavy overnight rains surrounded their homes.

Porter County sheriff's Sgt. Larry LaFlower says rain-swollen Salt Creek trapped four families in their homes in the community of South Haven. He says firefighters used boats early Friday to rescue those residents and bring them to dry ground at a local fire station.

LaFlower says the flooded homes were in an older, flood-prone neighborhood of the community about 15 miles east of Gary.

Although floodwaters approached South Haven Elementary School, school secretary Kristal Harkins says the school remained open Friday. She says the school ran a shuttle bus between a nearby church and the school for students who walk to school or whose parents drive them to school.