Dyer County Flood Update
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The First Assembly of God in Dyersburg along with the American Red Cross opened their doors to flood victims last Monday but 67-year-old Ethel Walker is the only person who took them up on their offer. “I think the hardest thing to do is walk away from your home,” said Walker. She grew up along the great river road and has lived there on and off her entire life. She said her grandchildren prompted her to move to the shelter. “One night, we go to bed we don’t see any water, the next morning we have water coming up to the grain bins.” Now safe and sound, Walker said last week the sheriff showed up on her door step and said by the end of the storm, her home will be 10 feet under water. “We knew floods were coming and with the Mississippi, Obion and Forked Deer Rivers, we knew we needed to have some place for the people to come,” said Lynn Fritchey an American Red Cross employee. On Monday, the flood waters rose two feet above flood stage and they are supposed to continue to rise through the week. Forecasters predict the water could be worse that the Great Flood of 1937. “We have shelter a place to sleep, blanket, cot, food and water,” explained Fritchey. With a roof over her head, Walker is praying for her neighbors that she left behind hoping they will seek help before it is too late.
