Lincoln Co. family worried about more rain on the way after being stuck at home

LINCOLN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) — A Lincoln County family says they're fearful of what it could mean to be stranded on their property for the second time in less than a week with more rain in the forecast.

News 4 meteorologists predict rain chances starting Wednesday and stretching into the weekend. The Moore family tells News 4 a downpour of rain last week saw them trapped from Friday until Sunday inside of their home, with water pooling well past their driveway; turning the road into a creek.

"It takes forever to get it off the road," said Garret Moore.

News 4 crews were able to reach the Moore family Monday, with difficulty. At one point employees had to use a drone to scope out the roads before detouring to a different portion of it just to reach the Moore's home.

"It gets about anywhere from a foot to three foot high up on our mailbox," said Moore.

Moore said he and his family were told when they moved in that the area flooded, but that this season has been the worst they've seen in the four years they've owned the property. Moore said he had to take off Friday because he physically couldn't get to work, and even used an alternative ATV to test out safe routes before he was willing to risk hopping in his struck to leave Sunday. He said at the water's peak, only a boat or helicopter would be able to get to anyone on the road without being washed away or stuck themselves.

"It gives me anxiety when it comes to the family if emergency comes and stuff like that," said Moore. "I need to get to work."

Moore told News 4 he and his family have tried communicating with the county to see if there's anything it can do to help; but is typically met with excuses. He said crews did dig a ditch prior to his complaints, but water still pools regardless.

"It's like pulling teeth, trying to get them to do it," said Moore.

News 4 reached out to Lincoln County commissioner Lee Doolen Monday, who represents District 3, where the Moore family lives. Doolen says the family was warned about the property, and there's not a lot the county can do because it's in a flood plain. He says making any serious changes to roads there could create a domino effect for neighbors.

"If I fill in that area, it could wash some people down the road out and put them in a flood plain," said Doolen.

Doolen said he's open to potential ditch improvements in the area, but doesn't think it'll be the solution the Moore family is hoping it will be. He says the entire county, and neighboring counties have been dealing with issues along county roads made worse by days and days of rain.

"We will get it put back together," said Doolen. "But if it keeps raining like this, it's going to keep taking longer and longer to do that."