At least one vehicle ran into floodwater on Brick Hill Road below Raccoon Lake on Friday and early Saturday morning as one full gate and a second gate was opened to four feet to get rid of excess water from the lake.
Centralia Water Plant officials say all the gates have now been closed and water levels should be receding. The Centralia Water Plant recorded another 1.78 inches of rain for the 24 hour period ending at seven Saturday morning while the Salem Water Plant registered an additional 1.08 inches of rain. Centralia recorded 3.34 inches of rain over the past two days, with 2.68 inches in Salem.
Flooding was reported at several low-lying crossings in both Marion and Jefferson County. The Woodlawn and Waltonville Fire Departments were still trying to locate a vehicle Saturday morning that is believed to have been washed into Rayse Creek southwest of Woodlawn.
One of those who walked out of a stalled car on Brick Hill Road northeast of Centralia early Saturday morning was wanted on an outstanding warrant. 29-year-old Joe Henderson of Maulding Drive in Centralia was taken to the Marion County Jail where he posted $200 bond and was released. The Centralia Fire Protection District and Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies were both called to the scene to assist the stranded motorist.
Brick Hill goes under water on Friday after one gate is fully opened and a second is open four feet to get rid of excess water from Raccoon Lake. Photo by Tim Ferguson.
