Flooding Concerns Lead To Road, Business Closures In Eastern Oklahoma

Some Green Country roads and businesses are closed Wednesday night because of flooding. With more rain expected overnight, emergency management leaders are inspecting and making plans.

Along the Illinois River in Cherokee County, where the river is expected to crest, recreational businesses have been forced to close until water levels drop.

It’s the start of the floating season along the Illinois River, but businesses like All American Floats have canceled all reservations until at least next week. Manager Jacob Burson said he and other business leaders coincidentally had a meeting with the Grand River Dam Authority Tuesday. 

“We knew this was coming in, but we didn’t expect it to be as high as it’s coming to be,” said Burson. “We was expecting around 19 foot, so now it’s going to 22, we have to move everything up.” 

There are also high water levels at Baron Fork River and throughout Southern Cherokee County.

Scott Pettus with Tahlequah and Cherokee County Emergency Management said the area had 2 to 2.5 inches of rain, leading to washouts and damage near Lake Tenkiller.

“We had major flooding back in 2015 and major flooding in 2017, so anytime that we get expected rainfall rates that we got this morning and what we’re expecting this evening and overnight, certainly causes a lot of concern for our residents,” said Pettus. 

David Williams with the Army Corps of Engineers told News On 6 the Corps manages 30 flood-control reservoirs in the Arksansas River basin for Kansas and Oklahoma. Williams said there are currently no concerns.

“The system is in good shape,” said Williams. “Very minimal flood control storage that’s occupied at this time, and so even though it’s a big storm system with a lot of of rain, in terms of the reservoirs, it’s not having a very big impact at this point.”

Patti’s said the Illinois River is the main focus for emergency management and Highway 10 is expected to be closed sometime overnight.

No matter where you are, experts warn to be weather aware.