Rising Illinois River Strands Horses On 'Island'

The flooding along the Illinois River in Tahlequah is of historic proportions. The river is 24-feet above normal, that’s higher than it’s ever been and the damage it’s causing is being called widespread and catastrophic.

The rising water destroyed homes and businesses and forced families and animals to find higher ground.

12/28/2015 Related Story: Illinois River Crests At All Gages, Scenic Rivers Commission Says

The Illinois River is typically about a mile away from one property along Highway 10 in Tahlequah; but, right now, it's submerged almost everything on Preston Creason's family land.

“This is epic, and what we did to prepare wasn't enough,” he said.

Preston's house is underwater, but his mother's home is just high enough to keep from flooding; and the little bit of yard around it is serving as an island for Preston's two horses - Chubs and Tonto.

“And as the water was coming up, I kept moving the pen, moving the pen. I eventually ran out of room,” he said.

Preston and his brother-in-law tried to get the horses away from the water before it flooded the highway, but in the dark rain, the horses were too nervous.

“They weren't having any of it,” Preston said. “They were bucking and kicking around, so we just let them wander back and forth right here.”

The horses have been making the most of their time as castaways - playing with a Christmas wreath on the porch and prancing around the in floodwater.

In fact, Preston said they seem to like all the attention they're getting.

“Every time someone gets out to look at the house or the water, they come running over to the edge and they're all perked up,” he said.

He hasn't left his pets all day, keeping a close eye on them from across the street - grateful for survival when so much has been lost.

Preston said, “It's devastating. This is everything we've worked for. Our whole lives are tied up in this property and just to see it like this, there's...you can't explain it. It's just terrible.”

Preston said he's looked into flooding insurance, but said because his house is in a floodplain he simply can't afford it, so he will pay out of pocket for any cleaning and rebuilding.

There is some good news, though, Monday night, the water dropped enough that Preston was able to pen up Chubs and Tonto and get them plenty of hay.