Washington County Floodwaters Receding

A number of Washington County residents are still dealing with the rain from over the weekend, and the Caney River is still high. It crested Monday, and dropped a couple of feet by Tuesday. The News

Tuesday, July 3rd 2007, 10:19 pm

By: News On 6

A number of Washington County residents are still dealing with the rain from over the weekend, and the Caney River is still high. It crested Monday, and dropped a couple of feet by Tuesday. The News On 6's Emory Bryan reports that was enough of a difference to allow some people back in their homes.

Bartlesville flood victim James Robinson considers himself lucky. The water has drained out of his house, on Monday it was knee deep.

â€œAnd I waded in water almost to my knees, just to go in and see what it's like yesterday before it went down,â€ Bartlesville flood victim James Robinson said. â€œThen I came in this morning before I went to work and it had went down to where I didn't have to wade through the water.

His backyard is still flooded, and so are the homes of many of his neighbors, and he's got a big job ahead cleaning up.

Across the street Timothy Purdum watched the water rise.

â€œMe and my wife sat out here and watched the water flow up the street, and get a little over knee deep in just four hours. Watched it get the neighbors house over there, and all we could do was sit and watch it and see if it was gonna get ours,â€ Timothy Purdum of Bartlesville said. â€œWe're up pretty high, so we were fairly safe.â€

His house was spared, but many homes remain surrounded, and while the river water is draining it is still covering a few roads.

â€œWell they said it was a 100 year flood the last time it flood, I think it was '86, it ain't been 100 years yet,â€ Bartlesville resident Jack Stevens said.

Jack Stevens moved his belongings to the attic, but luckily the water stopped rising just before his house flooded.

While the flood is receding it is going to be several days before all this water is moved down river, and many people still cannot get home to see what's left. County official believe about 3,000 people were forced out of their homes, but they're not really sure. In the coming days theyâ€™ll start damage assessments, going door to door to see how many homes were flooded, and just how bad the damage really was.

Watch the video: Waterlogged Bartlesville Getting A Break

For more flooding information, check out our STORM ZONE web page.