A Central Illinois native is using his small town roots to help a big city through a historic disaster.
Buffalo Tri-City Grad Blake Van Pelt is now a veteran Houston Police Officer. Van Pelt, the son of Mechanicsburg (Sangamon County) Mayor Bob Van Pelt, sees light at the end of the tunnel.
Van Pelt says his small town roots have been beneficial in the nation's fourth biggest city.
So far, flood waters haven't reached his family's home.