Gustav makes its mark on county

By BOB GIBBINS

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS September 04, 2008 12:19 pm

— Gustav may have been downgraded to a tropical depression, but it left a lasting impression on the Tahlequah area over the 24-hour period that ended Wednesday evening.
The Tahlequah airport received 4.08 inches of rain between 5 p.m. Tuesday and 5 p.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service Web site indicates. Additional rainfall was predicted through the night Wednesday and today.
Cherokee County is one of several eastern Oklahoma counties placed under a flood warning that will remain in effect until midnight.
The storm has also brought wind gusts of 30-40 mph to the area.
The Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Web site shows all commercial floating was to have ceased Wednesday evening. The Illinois River at Tahlequah was at 3.49 feet at 7 p.m. Wednesday and headed higher. Forecasts were for the river to reach 9.8 feet by 7 a.m. Friday.
Flood stage on the river at Tahlequah is 11 feet.
Assistant Emergency Management Director Mike Underwood warned against driving vehicles into areas where water covers the road because the depth of the water is unknown, and it only takes a relatively small amount of water to displace a vehicle. He suggests taking an alternate route or waiting until the water recedes and the road is clear.
The NWS reports most flood-related deaths occur in automobiles.
County roads and farmland near banks of creeks and streams are subject to flooding, Underwood said.