Water Back On In Locust Grove

By Tara Vreeland, News On 6

LOCUST GROVE, OK -- After three days without water, Locust Grove residents finally have it back.

Last week's torrential rains are to blame. Authorities believe the flood waters contributed to a water main break that was not easy to repair.

Water fell from the sky and it flowed swiftly from the streams and in the streets, but turn on a faucet to get a drink of water and not a drop would come out all weekend.

"You've got to have a little bit of water," said Norma Stafford of Locust Grove. "You just don't know how it is until you don't have it."

Norma and her great grandson, Desmond, have a stream flowing through their neighborhood. They even live on Water Street.

Businesses closed and school closed, all because of a water main that broke Friday.

5/3/2009 Related story: Locust Grove Loses Water, School Canceled

"It's kind of rough for everybody in town," said Jesse Carney of Locust Grove.

Everyday tasks and weekend chores halted because of too much rain outside and no water inside.

"We need to get our town back in business and hopefully we are there now," said Locust Grove Mayor Terry Starling.

Public works found the leak Monday morning. They couldn't find it over the weekend because it was under flood water.

"That's good news for most people. I know the students aren't going to be too happy about it," said Starling.

Mayor Terry Starling was at the fire department handing out bottled water donated by the Cherokee Nation.

Starling says the main has been permanently fixed.

He also says there is a precautionary boil.