KINTA -- Residents in the town of Kinta are dealing with the wrath of Saturday's flooding as they work to clean up damage.
“You work your whole life to have something, then it’s gone in 15 minutes.”
Bentley Carpenter said he built his Kinta home from the ground up 16 years ago, and on Sunday, he swept out the water that destroyed his home Saturday night.
“I’ve lived in Kinta almost my whole life. I’m 53 years old and it’s never flooded,” said Carpenter.
Carpenter said his kids and grandchild were at his home when the flood waters came rushing in.
“We saw the water coming in. We grabbed towels and blankets and tried to throw them up by the door to stop it. There wasn’t any stopping it,” said Carpenter.
According to the Haskell County Sheriff’s Office, Carpenter and 24 other residents had to be rescued. They said six to eight inches of water filled their homes. Officials said the flood damaged 40 structures and several roads, fences and bridges. The high waters even destroying the only store in town.
“EZ Mart was flooded there’s about 40 to 50 inches of water inside the store, it’s tore the whole store up,” said Haskell County Sheriff Tim Turner.
Officials said it could take weeks for the town to recover, but Carpenter said he’s just glad his family is safe, and his community is by his side.
“It’s a blessing, because you couldn’t do it all by yourself. There’s so much help to me it’s just indescribable almost. The love people have shown is indescribable,” said Carpenter.
The Red Cross will be at the Kinta First Baptist Church until they feel everyone is taken care of.
They are asking for specific donations including men's work boots, deodorant, laundry detergent, shampoo and conditioner, diapers and wipes.
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