Sand Springs Police Urge Residents To Be Aware During Flooding

It's been 17 years since heavy rain flooded a neighborhood in Sand Springs, and police are reminding residents what to do if they see high water this weekend. 

A heavy rain often brings flooding to Meadow Valley, a Sand Springs neighborhood.

Some say it's gotten better over the years but understanding the area's potential for flooding is something to remember.

"We have a lot of people in that neighborhood that have never seen it flood," said Sand Springs Police Chief Mike Carter. "And again,  the area has been improved over time so we think it's less likely, but we never want to rest on that."

The Meadow Valley neighborhood sits between the Arkansas River and a couple of creeks, but it's the creeks that put this neighborhood most at risk.

The year 2000 was the last time there was a major flood. Water got inside homes and people had to be evacuated by boat.

"This year is a very wet year so it was important just as a precaution to let people know what our procedures are," Carter said. 

In a Facebook post, the Sand Springs Police Department wrote: "There is the possibility of very heavy localized rain this weekend... It has been 17 years since our last true event."

The post goes on to say if the water gets higher than curb height, the flood sirens will sound and if you're signed up you'll get a phone notification. It also said emergency crews will be stationed at the entrance of the neighborhood and a portion of Highway 51 will be blocked off so people can leave their cars on higher ground.

"I want to reiterate, we don't want people overly concerned this is something we do as a public service," he said.