Flood in Oklahoma, April 11, 1997

Heavy rains in north-central Oklahoma on Friday April 10th caused several rivers and streams in north-central Oklahoma, including the Chikaskia River, to flood. The flooding of the Chikaskia River around Blackwell and Ponca City resulted in portions of Hubbard Road between Ponca City and Blackwell and US 177 south of Ponca City being closed Friday evening. One woman died and a man had to be rescued after driving around barricades and into floodwaters.The fatality, a 53-year-old woman, was on her way to Blackwell from Ponca City very early Saturday morning. She drove around a barricade on Hubbard Road at Waverly Street on the outskirts of Ponca City and then attempted to drive through the flooded portion of the road where Hubbard Road crosses the Chikaskia River, about 2.5 miles east of US 177. Her car was washed downstream about 200 yards. The victim apparently attempted to get out of the vehicle and was carried downstream. Her body was found about 150 yards farther downstream.In an unrelated incident, a man drove around the west barricade on Hubbard Road on his way to Ponca City. His car was also washed off the road and into the river. He was rescued and taken to the hospital to be treated for hypothermia.