Sep 2, 2009 5:28 pm US/Eastern
Flooding Causes Major Damage At Campgrounds
MANCHESTER, Md. (WJZ) ―
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A landmark for more than 50 years took the brunt of a flash flood in Carroll County.
CBS
A landmark for more than 50 years took the brunt of a flash flood in Carroll County.
Alex DeMetrick reports River Valley Ranch is now racing to reopen this weekend.
The Gunpowder River isn't much more than a creek near Manchester in Carroll County, but Friday night amateur video caught it in full flood.
The flood was triggered by a thunderstorm that dumped several inches of rain. The Gunpowder tore through the middle of River Valley Ranch, a popular camp since 1952.
"We lost 40 to 50 picnic tables, an eight foot grill that acted just like a boat headed down the river. But the biggest loss was a house," said John Bisset, camp director.
Brad Maines and his wife had only minutes to escape from that house.
"I told my wife to get the dog and we gotta go, we gotta go now. We had zero time," said Maines. "We tried to leave and we were afraid we weren't going to make it. The water was over the headlights of my truck."
In just 90 minutes, the Gunpowder went from 26 feet wide to 500 yards.
Drying out and repairing the camp started early Saturday. Maines and his wife lost everything. Their house was gutted and unlivable. What was spoiled by mud and water is fit now only for burning.
The flood also claimed a pick-up truck, but the greatest structural loss hit the camp's three bridges. The flood ripped two of them away and knocked the foundation out from under one covered bridge.
The sudden damage also brought help from neighbors. Because of that help, River Valley Ranch plans to be open this weekend for business after nature did its best to close it.
The camp's insurance does not cover flood damage.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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