Several families are stranded inside their homes after a
levee breach in Saline County. It happened near Lawson and County Line Roads at the Pulaski and Saline County line. Water from the levee breach flowed nearly a mile away from a pond causing major problems. Now three families have no way out.
"All the water from this pond went across and went over this pond to the County Line/Lawson Rd. area. It was like a tsunami,” Chief Ronnie Wheeler with the West Pulaski Fire Department said.
The Goolsby's live on County Line Road. "It was just like a raging river down Lawson Rd. I mean white waters. Somebody would love to kayak it,” Kevin Goolsby said.
It didn't get to their home, but as for their neighbors, "They lost a 1 ton truck. They haven't found it yet. We think it's in that pond over there,” said Susan Goolsby.
Sunday Entergy crews worked to restore power. Three families are trapped inside. The road over the levee breach is the only access to or from their homes. Because there’s no way out, a homeowner is trying to get a bulldozer so he can try to create a path.
"Since this morning there's been some more fall in. It is still cracked and will probably continue to give way some,” Wheeler said.
Families are hoping another nearby levee, which threatened to break, holds up. “Because these dams are washed out too, we've got to see if they're going to hold…Otherwise, we're going to have the same mess tonight," the Goolsbys said.
Though most of the power out is now restored, phone service is not. A major telephone junction box was destroyed in the water.
Chief Wheeler says because the levee breach happened along a private drive, the owner and not the county, could be responsible for damages and repairs. The stranded families tell authorities they are doing fine and have food and supplies for at least a few days.
Someone first reported seeing the levee breach just after 6 pm Saturday. Authorities asked people who live in the area, in both Pulaski and Saline counties, to evacuate. They also closed Lawson Road to avoid extra traffic. The road re-opened a little after 4 pm Sunday.
