After the flood

Chickasha – One Week After the Flood

by Camille Hunt

August 26th, 2007 - Remnants of Tropical Storm Erin spun over the area in the early morning darkness of Sunday August 19,dumping an estimated 5 to 7 inches of rain. Driving through downtown one week later, one sees sandbags and plastic sheeting still lining many Chickasha businesses. Numerous doors have paper signs posted stating they are closed. For others; the damage is not visible until you walk inside. Water lines inside the buildings mark the height on the walls where the muddy water flooded in.


Click to enlarge	Click to enlarge	Click to enlarge

Police and Fire Station #1 is closed and their employees have had to relocate to other areas of the City to be able to still serve the community. Judge Herndon was displaced from his courtroom and office in the basement to another area of the courthouse to continue with his work. The YMCA, usually bustling with children and families, resembles a ghost town, with a dumpster on the side filled with water-damaged debris. Tree limbs line City streets awaiting removal. Everywhere you look there is still a mud-red film covering sidewalks and parking lots.

It will be some time still before downtown fully recovers from the damages of the flood. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to continue to shop and support Downtown Chickasha. These folks are the same hard working merchants we have come to rely on for hometown service; they are just still coping with the aftermath even though the waters have receded.

Stay informed by joining our mailing list... Subscribe