Fish River residents prep for flooding

MARLOW, Ala. (WALA) - As the outer bands of Hurricane Isaac pushed onshore Tuesday, most preparations had been completed. For those who live along Fish River in Baldwin County, strong winds were the least of their concerns. Water levels had already begun to rise even before the rain.

Water already covered many of the docks and bulkheads from the tidal surge pushing inland. Those who live on the river had already moved valuables and loose items to higher ground.

“Of course, we get the boats out of the water and the furniture off the docks…just try to get the yard cleaned up and move the cars to higher ground,” said David Cooper.

Cooper and his family have lived on Fish River for fifteen years and is no stranger to flooding. He’s seen the damage that hurricanes can cause and takes special precautions in his home.

“Since we flood down here in my garage, we’ve had to take precautions with it so we put everything up high year-round, but things like the treadmill and stuff... we have a winch right here and we crank it up to the ceiling,” Cooper pointed out. “Hopefully we won’t get water above our knees and everything will ride through smoothly.”

River residents had pulled their boats from the water and moved their cars to higher ground, but Chief Gib Hixon of the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department said that most folks are not evacuating. He said he was concerned that water levels will continue to rise.

“When it starts coming up over the bulkheads and into the slab area of the homes, then we become really concerned,” said the chief. “When the roads start getting water on them, it gets hard for people to get out.”

Hixon is hoping for the best, but will keep his crew on a high level of alert as Isaac works its way through the area.

“Our people are at a high state of readiness,” Hixon said. “We train for this. It’s not our first time and our people will be here overnight manning the station for calls and throughout this emergency.”

Flood stage for that area is reached when the water level reaches 11 feet at the Fish River Bridge on County Road 48. That level had already been reached by noon on Tuesday.