GREEN BAY, WI (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- The East River jumped its banks early Friday morning, causing major flooding that shut down roads, bridges and even schools, which became emergency shelters for those evacuated from their homes. 

Gregg Kempken has seen flooding before, but nothing like this. He was evacuated from his home by boat around 7:30 a.m. Friday.

“[I] woke up about 10 minutes before my alarm went off at 4:30 and I heard a deluge, a waterfall, and didn't know if it was heavy rains or a roof leak, but it was water rushing through the foundation of the home,” Kempken said.

Reports of basement flooding started pouring in around 3:30 a.m. Friday from residents who live in an eight square block area spanning from East Mason St. at John St. to the East River, and on the other side of the river from Goodell St. back toward the river.

Roads in that area are under four to four-and-a-half feet of water, according to Green Bay Metro Fire Department Chief David Litton.

“We started evacuating people via boat early and then as the morning progressed we called in some mutual aid partners from around the area,” Chief Litton said.

The Red Cross was also called in to help and set up an emergency shelter for evacuees at Preble High School.

“Here in Green Bay, we actually have one of two major disaster warehouse spaces in the State of Wisconsin,” American Red Cross Northeast Wisconsin Executive Director Steve Hansen said. “Here and Madison, so we're fortunate to have this facility here, not located that far from here where we can readily draw equipment and supplies.”

About 30 people, including Kempken, were taken to Preble High after being rescued.

“A nice man waded up to my front door and knocked on it and asked who was home and said that a boat would be coming because they couldn't get an MRAP vehicle in there at that time,” Kempken said.

It's still unknown when people will be able to start to return home. First, water levels have to drop low enough for the building department to do safety inspections.

“The building inspectors will be on-call here overnight and into tomorrow [Saturday], so as soon as we can get them in there safely and start doing those surveys, we will,” Chief Litton said.

Though Kempken has no idea when he'll get to go back to his home on Charles St., he's not letting it dampen his spirits.

“I've never been in a situation like this before, so it's been tough, but I keep on looking up and praying,” Kempken said.

Friday afternoon, Brown County officials made a disaster declaration due to the rain and rapid snowmelt that led to widespread flooding. 

Officials are now asking for assistance and are advising the state of changing emergency conditions.