Ouachita River Surrounds Homes in Union Parish
By: Brittney Johnson
Updated: November 2, 2009
Loretta McPherson is watching water creep closer and closer to her home.
Loretta McPherson said,"At the rate its rising now, we'll have water in front of the house before dark. I'm sure. "
The Ouachita river is rising in the front and backwater from nearby creeks is flooding the back. McPherson and her family are hurrying to move their belongings to higher ground before the bodies of water meet and trap them in the middle.
McPherson said, "We went through this in 1991 but it wasn't anything like this. It didn't come up like this is doing now."
This is River Road. You can usually drive down this street but the river is so high the only way you can get to homes on this road is by boat. Which is exactly how the sheriff's office travels to check on people who have been blocked off by the river.
Dusty Gates said, "We're approaching the stages of 1991 and if we get to that point we'll have lots of houses in the parish flooded. somewhere in the vicinity of 300."
Right now, Gates estimates about 100 homes may be surrounded by water and McPherson's may be next.
She says looking at the rising water reminds her of the 1991 flood, but does not want to relive it.
McPherson said, "I'm going to be 75 on the 25th of this month. I think its time to quit. I think its time to move out of here. I think that's what we'll do, because I cant do it. It's too hard."
Loretta McPherson said,"At the rate its rising now, we'll have water in front of the house before dark. I'm sure. "
The Ouachita river is rising in the front and backwater from nearby creeks is flooding the back. McPherson and her family are hurrying to move their belongings to higher ground before the bodies of water meet and trap them in the middle.
McPherson said, "We went through this in 1991 but it wasn't anything like this. It didn't come up like this is doing now."
This is River Road. You can usually drive down this street but the river is so high the only way you can get to homes on this road is by boat. Which is exactly how the sheriff's office travels to check on people who have been blocked off by the river.
Dusty Gates said, "We're approaching the stages of 1991 and if we get to that point we'll have lots of houses in the parish flooded. somewhere in the vicinity of 300."
Right now, Gates estimates about 100 homes may be surrounded by water and McPherson's may be next.
She says looking at the rising water reminds her of the 1991 flood, but does not want to relive it.
McPherson said, "I'm going to be 75 on the 25th of this month. I think its time to quit. I think its time to move out of here. I think that's what we'll do, because I cant do it. It's too hard."
