Skiatook is almost completely surrounded by flood waters right now. In Owasso, it isn’t as bad in terms of flooding, but they have certainly gotten their fair share over the last several days.
With Highway 20 closed, residents have to take back routes to get in and out out of Skiatook, as floodwaters stemming from bird creek have really inundated the town. Down the road in Owasso, they’re feeling the Bird Creek waters as well.
The creek nearly got to 30 feet overnight and has been above flood stage since Monday. Some roads, such as 66th Street, are shut down in portions because Bird Creek is flooded. Bird Creek reached flood stage on Monday, got nearly to 30 feet over night and appears now to be going down.
One man we talked to says this is the most rain he’s ever seen the area get and worst flooding he’s witnessed in 45 years.
“It relates mostly to the '70 flood that we had, I think it was '73, '74, where this whole area flooded, even where Wendy’s was. So it’s not quite as bad as back then,” said Larry Ladd, a longtime resident.
Now while some roads in town are closed due to high water, highway 169 near Bird Creek remains unaffected and open.
As for Skiatook, the city says the fire department went through about 50 rescue missions yesterday - with most of those outside the city. They also expect Highway 20 to be back open midday tomorrow.
Also, Owasso police have been encouraging residents since yesterday in the 100-year floodplain to evacuate for the time being. That evacuation is not mandatory and the map can be found on the city’s website.
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