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Traveler Video/Flood of 2007

By RONDA ROSS
Traveler Staff Writer

Arkansas City Emergency Manager Bob Frazee said this morning that it was too early to know the extent of damage caused by the flood waters.

"We've got to get the water back down before we can do assessments," he said.

City crews aren't waiting for the rivers to go down; they've been doing some pumping in town. They've also opened all of the storm-water gates along the Arkansas River; canal gates on C Street were opened by city crews this morning. It will probably be Thursday before they can open the rest of the gates along the Walnut River, Frazee said.

Some roads remain closed as of 11 a.m. today.

Frazee said Greens Farm Road is still closed, even though the water is off of it right now. The reason is so that city crews can repair whatever damage there is to the road before it's opened back up, though Frazee said he was not yet sure there was damage because he hasn't had a chance to get up there and look.

East Chestnut, east of the bypass to Crestwood, is still closed and will probably remain closed until the end of the week , he said.

"We can see already that part of that roadway is washed away and there's still water running across East Chestnut."

Street closings in town:

G Street, between Central and Madison; Chestnut Avenue, west of Eighth Street between Eighth and Tenth Street.

The rivers had both fallen below flood levels Tuesday morning.

There is a 30-percent chance of rain forecast for late Wednesday night and into Thursday but Frazee said it was too early to tell how much rain, if any, the area would get.

City officials suggest that people contact their private insurance carrier, then call Cowley County Emergency Management at (620) 441-4569 or (620) 221-0470.

"It's kind of hectic because we don't know what we're doing right now," said Albert Shrope, whose property was flooded along US 166.

He said he has been unable to get through to FEMA.

No local organizations have offered to help, but Shrope said he hadn't called them either. "A lot of people are just as bad off as me," he said.

For now, Shrope and his three dogs are staying in town with his daughter and her husband, Julie and Tim King.

"I'm not sure what we're going to do. You're kind of in limbo when something like this happens."

He said he went out to look at his shop and took some pictures inside.

"The water level was still about 5 ft., up to my eyes," he said.

City officials suggest that people contact their private insurance carrier, then call Cowley County Emergency Management at (620) 441-4569 or (620) 221-0470.

Above: Bird's eye view - Flood waters still cover East Chestnut Avenue and bridge Monday evening.

State Rep. Kasha Kelley, Cowley County Commissioner Gary Wilson, Arkansas City Commissioner Scott Margolius and County Emergency Manager Brian Stone viewed flooded areas from an airplane flown by Kelley's brother, Kris.

Kelley said she wanted to assess the damage and make sure state and federal emergency funds are made available to the area.

Below: Flood waters chewed up the entrance to Walnut Park. Photo by Donita Clausen