JACKSONVILLE, AR – Heavy rain brings back unpleasant memories for a few Jacksonville neighborhoods.
Almost one year ago, rain flooded several homes in portions of Jacksonville causing quite a bit of damage. Some homeowners say they’re still trying to fix the damage done to their homes during last spring’s heavy rain storms, and they’re hoping this recent round of rainfall isn’t an indication a repeat of last year is in store.
Daniel Sills lives on West Lane and has been washed out several times over the years. “When it floods, water comes from the creek which fills up my neighbor’s yard and my other neighbor’s yard across the street.”
Last year floodwaters reached waist deep on West Lane, and now every time it rains the neighbors get nervous.
On Eastview Drive, Tammy Newman is still cleaning up from last year’s storms. Her linoleum started coming up in the bathroom where flood water soaked the floor making it soft. The floor finally fell through. What little FEMA assistance Tammy received was not enough to cover the cost of repairs.
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher says the city does clean ditches, make drainage improvements, and clear clogs, but there’s only so much that can be done to prevent flooding. “I don’t anticipate any problems. I don’t get tense every time it rains. We’re doing what we can.”
Homeowners say if the rain stops, and their property’s can dry out, they’ll be ok. Consistent downpour of rain over several days is what causes problems for them.
It’s not just Jacksonville. Several other cities in Central Arkansas have flooding problems. The mayor’s of Jacksonville, Sherwood, North Little Rock and Cabot have gotten together with Pulaski County and the Arkansas Highway Department to request a study be done by the Army Corps of Engineers looking into possible ways to improve drainage, but right now there’s no money in the budget for that study.
Almost one year ago, rain flooded several homes in portions of Jacksonville causing quite a bit of damage. Some homeowners say they’re still trying to fix the damage done to their homes during last spring’s heavy rain storms, and they’re hoping this recent round of rainfall isn’t an indication a repeat of last year is in store.
Daniel Sills lives on West Lane and has been washed out several times over the years. “When it floods, water comes from the creek which fills up my neighbor’s yard and my other neighbor’s yard across the street.”
Last year floodwaters reached waist deep on West Lane, and now every time it rains the neighbors get nervous.
On Eastview Drive, Tammy Newman is still cleaning up from last year’s storms. Her linoleum started coming up in the bathroom where flood water soaked the floor making it soft. The floor finally fell through. What little FEMA assistance Tammy received was not enough to cover the cost of repairs.
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher says the city does clean ditches, make drainage improvements, and clear clogs, but there’s only so much that can be done to prevent flooding. “I don’t anticipate any problems. I don’t get tense every time it rains. We’re doing what we can.”
Homeowners say if the rain stops, and their property’s can dry out, they’ll be ok. Consistent downpour of rain over several days is what causes problems for them.
It’s not just Jacksonville. Several other cities in Central Arkansas have flooding problems. The mayor’s of Jacksonville, Sherwood, North Little Rock and Cabot have gotten together with Pulaski County and the Arkansas Highway Department to request a study be done by the Army Corps of Engineers looking into possible ways to improve drainage, but right now there’s no money in the budget for that study.
