Officials at the Sallisaw Water Plant, north of Sallisaw, reported 4.59 inches of rain fell from Monday through Thursday.
District 3 County Commissioner Cleon Harrell said that, in his district alone, Copic Slab near Nicut in the northeast section of the county was under water, and Keck Ford, southeast of Sallisaw on what is known as Radio Road, was nearly underwater and the bridge threatened by the build up of debris.
At Webbers Creek, near Short north of Roland, the water flow was measured at 15,000 cubic feet a second, Harrell reported. "It's terrible," he said about the flooding. "The problem is the first rain we had saturated the ground. Now there's no where for the rain to go but run off."
Harrell said the areas underwater in his district included Copic Slab near Nicut, Keck Ford on Sallisaw's southeast side, Low Water Bridge south of Sallisaw, and Webbers Creek, about five miles north of Roland.
"I'm sure all the commissioners are having the same problems," Harrell said.
Harrell said his crews would begin working on the low areas as soon as the rain stopped and water receded.
Harrell said he hopes to work with the City of Sallisaw on drainage problems on the Old Landfill Road and connecting roads, southeast of the city.
City Manager Bill Baker said he would be happy to meet with Harrell and see what can be done about drainage in the area.
The problem is the road washes out during heavy rains, Harrell said.
"I spoke with Ron Cagle (from Kelly Engineering in Tahlequah) Tuesday about the drainage there," Harrell said.
Harrell said the county road runs next to land owned by the city and the property drains onto the road. Harrell said the county would be willing to work on drainage from the property, with the city's permission.
Baker said Thursday he had not heard of problems on that road, but he would be willing to meet with Harrell and discuss the drainage.
"I'll be happy to look at it and talk with him about the drainage," Baker said. "May be we can work on a cooperative effort."
Harrell said he has put gravel on the road several times, but it washes away during heavy rains.
"That water just gurgles through there," Harrell said.
