CAMBRIDGE CITY, Ind. (WRTV) Communities across east central Indiana began cleaning up Thursday after floods destroyed homes and businesses earlier this week.Gov. Mike Braun surveyed the damage from the air Thursday afternoon in Cambridge City. He told reporters a Blackhawk helicopter will remain in the area to assist with rescues as more rain is expected.These (storms) don't come along often but when they do, it's a time for local governments to shine and our state government to get everything back to normal, Braun said.Braun said personnel from the Indiana departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Homeland Security will remain in the hardest-hit areas for several weeks to help with recovery.All state agencies; the DNR, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and others, those assets involved will be ready to help, Braun said.Signs of recovery emerged in Cambridge City as floodwaters receded. Main and Plum streets leading into downtown were clear Thursday. On Wednesday, the roads were impassable. Residents were drying out cars and homes that were previously submerged.Michael Hickmott, who has lived in Cambridge City since 1984, said watching the water rise was like a bad dream. Floodwaters reached 6 feet high on the bottom floor of his home.It's gone. It's got to be torn down. There's nothing salvable. It's gone, Hickmott said.Other residents relied on neighbors to save their property. Jeff Gwin used a friends water pump to clear his garage Thursday morning. Gwin said he lost power Wednesday and could not stop the water from filling his garage overnight.When the electric went out, I was pumping on my own. We lost power yesterday, and I wasn't able to do anything. So, it just kept filling up and filling up. Luckily, I got the pump this morning, Gwin said.The floods also damaged community landmarks. The swinging bridge at Creitz Park is twisted off its hinges and closed.I hope we can save it. If not, I hope we can rebuild it, Gwin said.U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve, a Republican representing Indianas 6th District, spoke alongside Braun and said he would help secure federal aid. Our country has a commitment and the resources to fix this. We just have to have the attention and the focus."Braun said the state will finish a comprehensive damage report in about a week to send to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Gov. Braun declares statewide disaster emergency after storms, floods ...read more read less