Despite rain and the rising water, more than 100 people continued searching in New Milford for Eric Langlois, a 33-year-old missing wedding photographer, on Thursday.
The search for Langlois initially started after a jogger called 911 around 8 p.m. on Tuesday and reported seeing a man fall from some rocks at Lovers Leap State Park and go into Lake Lillinoah.
Friends, family, and total strangers are hoping that he will be found.
"While it's been a really tough time dealing with the fact that he’s missing, we’ve really come together to look for him," Candice Coppola, a family friend, said.
Dozens of people gathered in a staging area set up at a nearby church.
Photographers from all over New England have been walking and paddling, almost around the clock, looking for the talented wedding photographer, husband,and father of two with a third on the way.
"Whenever someone is in need in our community, we'll drop everything," Carrie Draghi said.
Emergency crews postponed the search on Thursday because of the forecast for heavy rains.
"No state officials, no police, and no one from DEEP. That's what we need. We desperately need their assistance," Laura DaCarlo, a friend, said.
A spokesman for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the department has heard the concerns of the friends and family of Langlois.
"A consensus decision was made by all agencies involved to suspend the search Thursday due to the potentially dangerous currents and flood conditions," said DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty.
Search crews will resume the search on Friday.
