NewsOn6.com - Tulsa, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports - KOTV.com | Flooding Closes Several Nowata County Roads
Heavy rain has pounded Oklahoma, washing out some roads and sending creeks and rivers over their banks.
Just a few miles east of Lenapah in northern Nowata County, water is flowing a foot deep across Highway 10. It's deep enough to cause trouble for drivers.
The Verdigris River, which is nearby, is just shy of 30-feet deep, which is flood stage. That caused Cedar Creek to overflow and back up over the highway.By Craig Day, The News On 6
NOWATA COUNTY -- Heavy rain has pounded Oklahoma, washing out some roads and sending creeks and rivers over their banks.
In Nowata County, six inches of rain is causing some flooding problems.
Just a few miles east of Lenapah in northern Nowata County, water is flowing a foot deep across Highway 10. It's deep enough to cause trouble for drivers.
"We got a lot of rain, a lot of water and it got real swift, our small streams and creeks, they went out first," said Doug Sonenberg, Nowata County Emergency Management.
The Verdigris River, which is nearby, is just shy of 30-feet deep, which is flood stage. That caused Cedar Creek to overflow and back up over the highway.
"There were times it was raining so hard, you couldn't see to travel down the highway. It was bad," said Doug Sonenberg.
County emergency management director Doug Sonenberg says a handful of other county roads in Nowata County are also closed. He's keeping an eye on the Verdigris River.
"The next 12 to 14 hours are going to be real crucial for us, they need to really keep an eye on the weather and the water itself," said Doug Sonenberg.
Flood forecasters say the river is expected to drop steadily over the weekend and should be back to normal by Monday, which is when we have our next chance for rain.
In other parts of Green Country, volunteers filled sandbags to prevent two homes from flooding in Vinita near Big Cabin Creek. Also, one home flooded overnight Friday in McAlester.
SKYNEWS 6 got a bird's eye view of the water.
Near the Verdigris River, you can see the tributaries are pretty full. Water is into the tree line along a lot of that area.
A little further east near Pryor, you can see water standing in some fields. The ground is so saturated in many places that there is no place for the water to go from the heavy rains.
At the Pensacola Dam between Disney and Langley, the Grand River Dam Authority opened nine gates to keep water levels stable. Those areas have had three to six inches of rain in the last two days.
10/9/2009 Related Story: Heavy Rains Flood Roads, Threaten Homes In Eastern Oklahoma
Dozens of people from across the globe are in Tulsa to play pool as Magoo's is hosting the first T-Town Classic – One Pocket Tournament. More>>
Frequently, unemployment is merely reported as a statistic, but The Oklahoma Impact Team is taking a closer look at the people behind the numbers. More>>
The recall affects eight models of cars and trucks dating back to 2005, but Tulsa dealers say the problem is easy to fix and is mostly a preventative measure. More>>
Wednesday afternoon, several airlines which serve Tulsa decided to cancel flights in and out of Tulsa on Thursday as the winter storm approaches from the west. More>>
Thirty-five of the laid off Tulsa police officers might be rehired with grant money. The sales tax would add to the current budget for police and fire. More>>
At least five felony cases have been dismissed because laid-off police officers are not able to testify. More>>
Brandon Johnson admitted to killing his mother, 36-year-old Tracy Johnson, and a 19-year-old cousin in September 2008. More>>
The community center at Owen Park will be closed at the end of February. Six other centers will also be shut down. More>>
