A loss of this dam would not be life threatening.” “The purpose for this structure is intended to hold pools for navigation and hydropower and are not considered a floods risk structure. These structures were designed to endure a collision of this magnitude,” stated Rodney Beard, Tulsa District’s Chief of Navigation. “There was never a concern on whether or not this dam would withstand the impact from the barges. The second barge came to rest on top of the first, impeding both the river’s flow, and blocking operation of four gates.
Less than a minute after striking the dam, the barges sunk to the base of the structure. The river at Three Forks less than a half mile upstream of the Port of Muskogee crested at 46.39 feet, approximately 24 feet above normal.ĭuring the flood two barges broke away from their moorings and drifted from the port down the McClellan Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System and slammed into Webbers Falls Lock & Dam 16 on May 23.
She spoke at the ceremony Monday.Record rainfall throughout northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas in May 2019 pushed the Arkansas River to near record heights. Terri Angier, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation when the bridge collapsed. 'Very surreal, tragic time': ODOT spokeswoman remembers 2002 Webbers Falls bridge collapse I think if I had not went out there there would have been a lot more off in there," Pollard said.įormer Oklahoma Highway Patrol public information officer Chris West, who is the Canadian County, Oklahoma Sheriff today, remembered responding to the bridge disaster 20 years ago. I went out to one side of the bridge to try to keep more people from going off in it. "I was on duty that morning and I got a call right after it happened. He saved lives by stopping traffic on the west side of the bridge on I-40. Pollard was on duty as a police officer in Webbers Falls when the bridge collapse. "We haven't decided for sure yet," Pollard said. "I don't know if we will do this any more after this 20th anniversary," Pollard said. ‘A helpless feeling’: Webbers Falls bridge collapse witness still thinks of those lost I-40 bridge disaster: How this Oklahoma reporter navigated tragedy and uncertainty to cover I-40 bridge disaster
Pollard spoke at the ceremony Monday, to remember the 14 victims who died. Webbers Falls, Oklahoma Mayor John Pollard was a police officer when the Interstate 40 bridge collapsed May 26, 2002. Janette Barlow of Wimberley, Texas traveled to Webbers Falls Sunday to remember victim Gail Shanahan. Watching my kids grow up and knowing that Shae was just a year and a half difference from my youngest daughter," Billie Eppler said. It's holidays with my children, things like that. She said holidays are difficult, even two decades later. We didn't find out for sure until Tuesday evening," Eppler recalls. We were trying to catch them on their cellphones, (James and Misty Johnson) and just the unknown. "It was a phone call from my mom asking me if I was okay. 'I was shocked': First trooper to arrive at Webbers Falls bridge disaster recalls scene Gone but not forgotten: Former mayor to host memorial in honor of Webbers Falls bridge tragedy Everybody loved Jim," Eppler said.īillie Eppler said she remembers, "disbelief," when she answered a telephone call from her mother 20 years ago about the tragedy at Webbers Falls.
He was just a great person in our area in our community. She talked about her late brother at Webbers Falls Monday. She said she lives with the memories of losing three family members among the 14 people who died. Billie Eppler of Alma is the sister of James Johnson who was at Webbers Falls Monday.