Blanchard, Okla. — After several days of being stranded due to a collapsed dam and washed-out road, families in Grady County have regained access to their homes, thanks to the swift actions of local public works crews.
Last week, heavy rainfall overwhelmed a retention pond near Blanchard, causing the dam that supported Grady County Road 1322 to give way. The floodwaters breached the dam, leaving a massive hole in the road and cutting off access to about nine homes. The destruction was so severe that residents were left without a way in or out, forcing them to rely on limited access and creating a sense of isolation.
Rick Johnston, a long-time resident of the area, has lived along the road since 1961. He recalls a time before the dam and road even existed, describing how his family would navigate muddy terrain with a tractor just to reach town. However, when the dam failed last week, Johnston said it was clear the road was lost.
“I came down here early in the morning, and it was gone,” Johnston recalled. “And I said, well, we’re stuck.”
For residents like four-year-old Dixie Harris, the situation felt even more dire. When asked about the damage, Harris simply said, “And we’re gonna be stuck forever like this!” Her childlike observation reflected the concern many in the area felt as they faced the uncertainty of being cut off from the outside world.
However, county workers quickly mobilized to restore access to the homes. On Monday, crews from two different Grady County maintenance districts arrived on site. They brought in heavy machinery and built a temporary road where the dam had once stood. The team installed culverts, or “tin horns,” to help redirect water and prevent further flooding, graded the land, and laid down gravel to create a stable surface for vehicles.
The work was completed within hours, and by the end of the day, residents like Johnston were able to drive in and out of their homes once again.
“We can get in and out now,” Johnston said. “I want to thank everybody on the Grady County — Grady County District Two — and the workers. They came out here and did an excellent job.”
The quick response of Grady County’s public works team not only restored vital access for local residents but also served as a reminder of the importance of swift action in the face of unexpected natural disasters.
