Fort Gibson Flood Victims Speak Mind, Ask For Answers At Meeting

Families flooded in Fort Gibson take their frustrations to the city. Things got pretty heated at a town hall meeting there Tuesday night.

Some of the people whose houses flooded are obviously dealing with a lot, but what they really want is answers from the city after some of them claim they weren't made aware of the fact that they were at risk for flood damage.

Flood victims took the podium in Fort Gibson Tuesday. It was a chance for homeowners to address city leaders directly; and they weren't happy.

5/27/2014 Related Story: Fort Gibson Mayor To Address City Flooding Concerns

"I called 911 from inside of my house because I couldn't get out with my kids; the water rushed that quick. My dad drove from Okay before the fire department in Fort Gibson responded to my home," said flood victim Kyrsten Willey.

Willey claims the city never told her she lived in a flood plain when she moved in in November.

"I have a very sick son who had to go back to the hospital today, my home flooded, I lost my home. My car flooded, my husband is in Ukraine right now. What is the city gonna do to help us," Willey asked.

Mayor Brad Clinkenbeard said the properties aren't technically in a flood plain, but are in a smaller risk flood zone where flood insurance isn't necessary.

He promised the group the city was going to look into a long term issue to the problem. The city provided everyone with insurance forms Tuesday to file a claim under Fort Gibson's insurance.

"Before it happens to somebody else maybe it could be looked into seriously enough for something to be done," said resident John Edwards.

The mayor said he couldn't say much because the homeowners asked to speak after the agenda was published, and since this wasn't on the agenda, it would've been a violation of the open meeting format.

However, he said it will be on the next agenda for full discussion. Until then he said he will work with the city on finding a solution to the problem.