Purcell Tire Shop And Home Flooded, Couple Displaced

Raging flood waters put Purcell businesses out of business as they try to figure out how to move forward.

Waters came up at least four feet inside a tire shop which doubles as the owner's home.

It was a matter of time before Dee Bibens and Jim Sloan said they would have been trapped inside in water up to their necks.

Around 4 a.m. Saturday water came rushing inside, and they didn't have much time to get out.

“If we wouldn't have left, I don't think we would have gotten out of here,” said Bibens.

5/24/2015 Related Story: Crews Respond To Multiple Water Rescues In Purcell

It's something Bibens and Sloan said they've never seen before. Bruce Sloan Tire service wasn't just their business, it was also their home.

“I just lost everything I own,” said Sloan.

“It's very sad that we've lost this,” said Bibens.

A water line was still visible where several feet of water sat inside for hours.

Monday, all that was left was water-logged tire repair equipment, flooded-out work vehicles, and a muddy mess.

“I didn't have time to grab nothing [sic], it was her and the dog,” said Sloan. “By the time we got in the truck, water was coming up the floor boards.”

With the constant rainfall, nearby Walnut Creek had already overflowed its banks. The roadway was flooded, and so was everything else around them.

Bibens said water was literally up to her knees as they waded their way out to higher ground.

“I had my dog, and me and Jim, it was real scary. It really was,” said Bibens.

“If I hadn't have woke up [sic], we probably would have drowned, or fried by electricity,” said Sloan.

“I ain't never seen [sic] nothing like it,” said Bibens. “We're good on the rain.”

Since Dee and Jim are not in a flood zone, they can't get flood insurance but said they plan to clean up and rebuild.

The two are staying at an area hotel in the meantime thanks to a local church.