Town Hopes For An End To The Rain

Wednesday, June 27th 2007, 10:03 am

By: News On 6

As eastern Oklahoma braces itself for potential flooding, one town in particular hopes to be spared from the heavy rains. Areas of Dewey flooded two weeks ago after eight inches of rain fell there. The News On 6â€™s Chris Wright reports residents are now preparing for another round of storms.

Heavy flooding back on June 11th left one south Dewey neighborhood under water, and one house on fire. A little over two weeks later, only the ruins of that home remain.

The damage to several other homes was so extensive that their owners have moved out until repairs are finished.

Dewey resident Mary Scott says it took about a week to get all the water out of her home, and now she's concerned about this new round of storms.

"We're lucky we can still live here, our neighbors have been displaced,â€ Scott said. â€œIt's a concern, are we going to be the next ones?"

Those who live nearby at the Lakeshore Trailer Park are also worried. A number of them had to be rescued by boat when the water continued to rise two weeks ago.

Amy Townshend, who is temporarily living in a mobile home while her house is built, says the water came right up to the door.

"Nothing we ever dreamed would happen to us, moving into a mobile home in the rainiest season Oklahoma's seen in years," Townshend said.

Across the way, Stacy Atterberry says in addition to keeping an eye on the kids she babysits, she will also be watching the skies for the next few days.

"We're keeping a close eye on it,â€ Atterberry said. â€œWe're afraid if it rains too hard, we're going to have problems."

Residents say the flooding problems they experienced June 11th were the worst in 20 years.

They hope it will be at least another few decades, and not another few days, before they are underwater again.

Dewey residents are also worried about the potential flooding to the north. They say that water feeds the creeks that flow into their town.

Watch the video: Town Hit By Flood Prepare For More Rain

Related stories:

6/11/2007 - Flood Cleanup Efforts Underway

6/11/2007 - Flood Victims

6/11/2007 - Residents Stranded By Flooding

6/11/2007 - Northeast Oklahoma Flooding From 3,000 Feet

6/11/2007 - Flooding Causes Evacuation Of Homes