Posted on 05/23/2019 12:03:27 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
WEBBERS FALLS, Okla. -- Two barges that broke free along the Arkansas River have struck the dam near Webbers Falls.
On Wednesday afternoon, emergency management officials in eastern Oklahoma asked residents to completely evacuate the town due to dangers associated with flooding.
"Residents in the Town of Webbers Falls need to evacuate immediately. This is a life threatening situation. If you choose to stay you are doing so at your own risk," officials wrote on Facebook.
The situation became even worse when authorities learned that the flooding caused two barges on the Arkansas River to become unsecured. Officials became worried that the barges would hit the dam, which was already under strain from the flood waters.
Initially, the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Facebook that the barges were located several miles upstream from Webbers Falls Lock and Dam 16. They were still tied together and were stuck on a rock jetty.
However, the barges somehow broke loose from the rocks as crews tried to secure them on Thursday.
Shortly before 12 p.m. on Thursday, the barges were seen heading straight for the dam near Webbers Falls. The two barges struck the dam, which caused one of the barges to immediately sink.
The force of the rushing watch caused the second barge to give way and sink as well.
Fortunately, it looks as though the integrity of the dam is still intact.
We're told the barges were carrying fertilizer.
ODOT closed I-40 and Highway 64 Wednesday due to fears that the barges would break through the dam on the Arkansas River and cause catastrophic flooding. I-40 and Highway 64 remain closed Thursday morning due to the incident.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for Webbers Falls as engineers continue to assess the situation.
You can find an interactive River map viewer for the Keystone Dam River Flood Maps on the City website at: https://t.co/UgC7dzRJEx #Tulsa #okwx https://t.co/F8VHDgCTl0
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Honky barge went down last!!
I'd also say they can clearly now make a case for obstruction as well.
Now there’s also clear evidence of an obstruction.
https://kfor.com/2019/05/23/watch-two-barges-sink-after-hitting-dam-at-webbers-falls/
Three minute video of the event at the above link.
The structures still are holding and no visible damage appears
as the barges struck the structures. That’s not say all is well
because the structure parts that are underwater may have damage
WEBBERS FALLS, Okla
Population 616.
Games not over yet.
The barges seem to be blocking the intake to one of the turbines.
This could cause the level in the basin to rise and over flow the dam. I hope they have an adequate spillway.
Looking at Webber’s Falls on Street View on Google maps...the land is flat as a pancake. They don’t need a flood from a collapsed dam.
And inflow increased. It could be catastrophic down river if the dam fails, not to mention it’s a navigable waterway to the gulf.
Skiatook lost their Dairy Queen Monday. Not funny.
Stretched that one for all it was worth.
LOLOL
This is from Keystone.
“We’re told the barges were carrying fertilizer.”
River banks downstream are going to get really green.
I hope no one was hurt in that.
I watched the news broadcast online last night (link from another thread) - made it through about 2.5 hours but couldn’t keep up.
Was thinking that too.
Sounds like quite the situation at that dam.
Gunna need a new probe.
I wonder how deep the water is normally just upstream from the dam. Will the barges be partly exposed?
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