Bridge damage traps residents on rural road
By Elizabeth Coe and Jason Jacks
Rising water and debris in the Goose Creek severely damaged a bridge near Lime Kiln Road south of Leesburg, cutting off several residents on rural Crooked Bridge Lane.
Crooked Bridge resident Karta Clark said the only way off the road presently is through a soggy cornfield onto Oatlands Road. He drove his son in his Ford pickup across the field this morning because he had to be at school to take an advanced placement test.
“If you have a little country in you, it can be kind of fun,” he said of the drive.
To make the field more passable, he was told fire and rescue officials plan to dump gravel across it to improve traction.
Crooked Bridge resident Lori Latka runs a home business, so she was able to work May 12 even though most commuters couldn't get out of the community.
Latka was not terribly worried about flooding, but she was concerned over the possibility that the bridge was destroyed.
“I think we've lost our bridge,” she said. “When you drive down and look at it, it looks like it's popped off. We're going to need some help from the county or someone.”
Latka said she was surprised schools weren't closed due to the numerous flooded roads in the county. Her two high school students who were supposed to take AP exams May 12, were forced to stay home.
Burke Samuels has lived on Crooked Bridge Lane for more than 20 years.
“It's something that comes with the territory of living out here,” he said. “When I moved here the bridge was crooked. That's why it's called Crooked Bridge.”
U.S. 15 and many secondary roads were impassable on May 12. The Sheriff's Office continues to closely monitor roadways that are susceptible to flooding as some areas may experience high water even after the rain tapers off.