Conway Prepares for Possible Flooding from Tropical Storm Isaac
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: August 30, 2012
Grabbing a bag in each hand, she loads them into the trunk. Six sandbags to build a barrier.
"Everybody I know is pretty much taking precautions for it," Meg Hawkins said.
Hawkins, among hundreds of Conway residents picking up free sandbags in hopes of staving off possible flooding from Tropical Storms Isaac's expected stay in Central Arkansas.
"My home is in a valley, so all the water from both sides just kind of drains into my neighborhood," Hawkins explained. "I've never had it flood, but I've had a couple of close calls. This could be worse than the other times."
Since Tuesday morning, the Conway Fire Department has loaded up and delivered these bagged barriers for Conway homeowners and businesses.
"We bagged a little over 1,500 so far. We've got about 200 right now, and we'll start again in the morning," said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Winter. "We're limiting about six to residents, three for the front door and three for the back. Businesses, we're giving them more flexibility if they need it for double doors and what have you."
The department also has a plan to deal with problem areas, like downtown's business district that always floods, before the storm settles in.
"We have designated areas for us to send out units and barricades have been deployed out to shut down the streets that flood," Winter said.
With anywhere from six to 12 inches of rain possible, emergency responders and residents all want to be ready.
"I think a lot of people are trying to think about it and be prepare for it," said Frank Alexander, another sandbag stop-in. "You know, you prepare for the worst just in case something does happen."
"We're hoping these sandbags and the barricades put us in a good position," Winter said. "So if it does reach that point, hopefully we'll be a little step ahead of the game."
Hawkins has decided to load up on more than just sandbags, being overly cautious just in case.
"Batteries flashlights, just making sure," she said. "Hopefully, it doesn't get that bad but if it does we'll be prepared."
She wants to keep trouble at bay, before it's right outside her front door.
"Everybody I know is pretty much taking precautions for it," Meg Hawkins said.
Hawkins, among hundreds of Conway residents picking up free sandbags in hopes of staving off possible flooding from Tropical Storms Isaac's expected stay in Central Arkansas.
"My home is in a valley, so all the water from both sides just kind of drains into my neighborhood," Hawkins explained. "I've never had it flood, but I've had a couple of close calls. This could be worse than the other times."
Since Tuesday morning, the Conway Fire Department has loaded up and delivered these bagged barriers for Conway homeowners and businesses.
"We bagged a little over 1,500 so far. We've got about 200 right now, and we'll start again in the morning," said Assistant Fire Chief Mike Winter. "We're limiting about six to residents, three for the front door and three for the back. Businesses, we're giving them more flexibility if they need it for double doors and what have you."
The department also has a plan to deal with problem areas, like downtown's business district that always floods, before the storm settles in.
"We have designated areas for us to send out units and barricades have been deployed out to shut down the streets that flood," Winter said.
With anywhere from six to 12 inches of rain possible, emergency responders and residents all want to be ready.
"I think a lot of people are trying to think about it and be prepare for it," said Frank Alexander, another sandbag stop-in. "You know, you prepare for the worst just in case something does happen."
"We're hoping these sandbags and the barricades put us in a good position," Winter said. "So if it does reach that point, hopefully we'll be a little step ahead of the game."
Hawkins has decided to load up on more than just sandbags, being overly cautious just in case.
"Batteries flashlights, just making sure," she said. "Hopefully, it doesn't get that bad but if it does we'll be prepared."
She wants to keep trouble at bay, before it's right outside her front door.
