City of Beatrice prepares for possible flooding after torrential rain

BEATRICE, Neb. (KLKN) – While the City of Beatrice is still under flood watch after torrential rains, the Beatrice Fire and Rescue Department is staying well prepared.

Fire Chief Brian Daake showed Channel 8 on Thursday the boats in their fire house, ready to go.

He also explained the varying levels of their emergency flood plan, which has now been initiated as they monitor the crest of the Big Blue River.

Daake says it is not expected to crest until Saturday at 26 feet.

Right now, the latest reading on the river is like 15 plus feet which that starts getting into the parks and the campgrounds,” said Daake.

With it going higher, they decided to close the Chautauqua Park, as well as Riverside Park too.

“We had the campers all leave the campgrounds so that way, in the middle of the night we’re not having problems with trying to get them out of there,” he said.

Many of those RV’s headed to safer grounds like the Beatrice Fairgrounds.

“I think they pretty well got on top of that,” said Curtis Smee, who was evacuated from Chautauqua Park.

Christine Vanderhoof and her husband agree with Smee, after they were evacuated from Riverside Park.

Vanderhoof told Channel 8 on Thursday that they appreciate the early heads up from officials, after a scary experience with flash floods in the past.

“Well, a few years ago we were in the same situation at Chautauqua Park, and they knocked on the door at three in the morning and said get out right now,” she said.

“So, we had to hook up our camper and the water, it was at our ankles when they told us and it was up to our past our knees [as we were leaving],” said Vanderhoof, adding “So, we know when they say evacuate to evacuate.”

This time around, she says, “We’re in a safe place now, the city got us out in plenty of time.”

Chief Daake says road closures could be the next step they take.

“This year is going to be a little bit different. We put some flood control measures on the West side with the storm drains because in the past at 21 feet the river water would start coming out of the drains which would close highway 136, eventually,” said Daake.

His advice?

“I would say if you live South or West of town do your grocery shopping before that. If we do have the highways closed down, we will have a fire truck and ambulance station on the west side,” he said.