Two deaths reported, dozens of roads closed
Torrential rainfall in Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties has led to the deaths of two drivers, both drownings, and closed numerous roads and some bridges due to heavy flooding.
Two classes had to be moved into other classes at North Rock Creek School due to water seeping in, the superintendent said.
A state trooper reported that an 86-year-year Prague woman drowned and her passenger taken to a St. Anthony’s Hospital after the vehicle they were in entered high water and was swept away to the right.
Trooper Austin Albrecht identified the victim as Eileen Sanders. She was pronounced deceased by the Prague Fire Department and takem by the Medical Examiner to their office in Oklahoma City.
He said a passenger, Jackie Lee, 58, also of Prague, was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released.
Albrecht reported that a 2020 Chevy Trax was traveling west about 3 p.m. that day on 1020 Road near 3513 Road approximately 13 miles northeast of Meeker in Lincoln County when it entered into high water and was swept to the right.
Both the driver and passenger were able to get out, he said, but Sanders went under the water and did not resurface.
Lee was rescued by Prague Fire Department.
Another person drowned in Pottawatomie County near Macomb on SH 102 north of SH 59B and a deputy who tried to save the man was rescued and taken to the hospital in Shawnee, according to Pottawatomie County Sheriff Freeland Wood.
The person who drowned apparently got out of his car and was swept away after being trapped, according to the sheriff’s statement.
North Rock Creek School Supt. Blake Moody said two classes in an elementary building were moved into another classroom for one afternoon. “It didn’t flood, it just got the floors wet,” Moody said. “Our maintenance crew jumped right on it and grabbed three huge shop vacuums we purchased with COVID money several years ago and got it all sopped up,” he noted.
“We’re planning a no tax increase bond issue for next year to replace the Elementary buildings,” Moody added.
Lincoln County District 3 Commissioner Lee Doolen reported he has one bridge out located on 3320 Road north of SH 105 in the Tryon area. He noted, “The Iowa Tribe looks like it is going to help us get it open, I have a meeting with them this week.”
Doolen also pointed to a number of bad washouts. “It’s going to take a lot of time and money to fix them. I don’t have an estimated cost yet. Let’s see what the rains this week do to us,” he added.
District 1 Pottawatomie County Commissioner Melissa Dennis said the Econtuscha bridge over the North Canadian River is closed because the south end approach is collapsing.
“The Garrett’s Lake Road bridge over the North Canadian is not closed, but I am waiting on the Corps of Engineers to get back to me to see if they can help with bank stabilization,” Dennis noted.
“Everything else we have pretty much repaired and have back open,” she stated.
Lincoln County District 1 Commissioner Will Fine said, “The only roads I have closed are 930 between 3510-3500, 930 is a washout. It will be closed for awhile,” he noted. He said 780 is a flooded creek, but he thought it should be opened this past Monday.
Lincoln County District 2 Commissioner Marlon Miller said he has one bridge closed on 3460 Road south of 750 Road. “Hopefully we’ll have that bridge put back together fairly soon,” he said.