Gilmer County Residents Discuss the Impact of Flooding

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Loss is nothing new to residents in the area of Blackberry Mountain Road and Hemlock Lane. Early this morning flood waters once again swept through Gilmer County, including their neighborhood. It was ten years ago this month that a similar flooding situation occurred.Pat Lipham knows too well what was at stake. She and her husband suffered the effects ten years ago. “This place was his love,” she stated. Although he passed away in January, neighbors were thankful for the quick response of emergency personnel as Lipham was alone when the waters swept through. “I awoke at 6 a.m. and stepped outside before I realized it was already to my first step and I couldn’t get out,” Lipham explained. Tense moments followed as Lipham fled back into the house, climbing onto a high dresser. “That’s when I heard it (the house) move off the foundation.” Thankfully trees caught and held the home in place until rescue teams were able to extract her from her home shortly thereafter.

Directly behind her residence stands the home of George and Sylvia Evans, an elderly couple whose home is built off the ground, therefore slightly higher than Lipham’s. Although rescue personnel advised them to vacate their residence, they refused. George explained, “By the time they got here, I could see the water was already starting to recede.” “I knew it was time to get the broom and start sweeping the mud out,” Sylvia chimed in.

Although the water level in their home didn’t exceed approximately six inches, they still suffered significant losses. The couple doesn’t have flood insurance and they lost their shed where Sylvia crafted as well as several family pets. Sylvia lamented the loss of her rabbits, chickens and family cat. “That’s the worst part. I loved them like they were my babies.”

In a nearby area, Mountain Valley Farm, owned by the Wright family for generations, suffered heavy damage to one of their chicken houses and several other areas of their farm. In addition, Homer Wright Road washed out, crippling their ability to operate. They have milk and chicken trucks that need access to their farm on a daily basis.

“We’re currently saving chickens and moving them around to safe areas. Pilgrim’s Pride representatives are here to assess the losses,” Whitney Wright stated. She further went on to say they fear not only the total of their losses, but the possibility of further costs associated with the water flow.

“I fear that the creekbed has shifted and will require restructuring.”

At the end of the day though, the mood was hopeful. With her neighbors surrounding her, Lipham talked of her rescuers. “I can’t praise the firemen of Station One enough. They were amazing.”

Next door at the Evans’ home, George giggled light-heartedly about the tragedy. “Sylvia and I have been married 53 years. She ain’t goin’ nowhere without me.”

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