Residents say 10-foot wall of water rushes into Green Mountain Falls

Many Green Mountain Falls residents spent Friday morning cleaning up after Fountain Creek poured into their small community.

“Everybody was completely muddy and soaked,” said Pantry Gardens owner Ben Stephens. The patio was destroyed and the water caused two sinkholes near the restaurant’s entrance.

Stephens said he had about three dozen people dining on their outdoor patio when flood waters took over. “A fellow came running and said a 10-foot wall of water was coming,” he said.

Fortunately, the diners were all alright and were able to finish their meals inside. Stephens will lose business, the patio area usually stays open until Labor Day.

Nearby, Kathryn Blough said the water came crashing into her mother’s home while they were attempting to put up sandbags. Friday morning, she spent time cleaning out several inches of muddy water from a sunroom.

“We’ll probably rip up the carpet and get everything hauled out,” said Blough.

Her neighbor Dale White was also dealing with damage. His property is right next to Fountain Creek and part of it broke away in the fast-moving water.

Two bridges in the area leading to El Paso Avenue were also damaged. One of them had a sinkhole.