April showers bring hail, flooding
Staff reporter
It didn't just rain this past Wednesday morning. It poured
Some parts of the Marion County reported more than six inches of rain. Marion Reservoir reported four inches in two hours.
When that much water is dumped into an area, there are bound to be flooding problems.
And there were.
By Wednesday afternoon, Durham residents decided not to wait until floodwaters damaged their businesses. They took action. Within 30 minutes, 30 to 40 people filled sand bags which were placed in doorways of the downtown businesses.
Emergency vehicles were moved from the downtown fire station to higher ground to assure access by firefighters and EMS personnel.
Later that night, downtown Durham looked more like the Grand Canal in Venice with nearly two feet of floodwater. Because of the quick action of the residents, there was minimum damage.
Harry Rhodes, owner of G&R Implement, said he had minor flooding in his store. Earlier in the day, merchandise was moved from the floor and lower shelves, in anticipation of rising floodwater.
Rhodes said his business has been located in downtown Durham for 36 or 37 years and this was about the second or third time there was this much floodwater.
The North Cottonwood River, just south of Durham, contributed to the rising waters.
In other parts of the county, Hillsboro reported hail which covered the ground like snow.
Vehicles were dinged by the pea-sized frozen particles but no other major damage was reported.
Marion reported four inches of rain with minor flooding in and around the city.
Several roads in the county were closed because of high water. By Thursday morning, all were re-opened.
The storm was selective with parts of the county only receiving an inch of rain or less.
