Lightning Creek Residents Brace for More Possible Flooding

By Emily Wood, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – A metro area that flooded just a couple of months ago has been a frustrating situation for residents. People who live around the area said they've seen flooding before, but nothing like what they experienced in June. The creek rapidly rose more than 20 feet and entered their homes. They said they're dreading what might happen with the heavy rain this week.

Three months later, people who live near Lightning Creek are still tearing out walls and ripping out soggy carpets. Mold has grown inside their homes and their floors are caked with silt.

"Oh, water level was up two and a half to three feet all over the house," said contractor Jim Black. "There was a lower part that was even deeper there."

Black is a contractor hired to help one homeowner. But others in the area said they simply can't afford to hire anyone. And they aren't able to do the work themselves.

"They say it will, and if it does, we'll get it again, always does," Black said.

Betty Garza has been through four floods in the last 20 years, but said the one three months ago devastated her and her family.

"It ruined all my furniture and all the walls," said Garza. "We lost everything in there."

Like many, Garza is on a fixed income. She doesn't know what she'll do if it floods again. But like most everyone here, she's bracing for the worst.

Black said he's going to wait for the water to go down to finish his repairs. He thinks that home will be livable.

But, others don't have the resources to fix things. They're still hoping for more help from the government.