Power back on in Hale County neighborhood after road collapse

HALE COUNTY, Ala. — Power was restored Wednesday for people living in the Riverview Beach Road community in Hale County. County leaders said the restoration came much sooner than expected.

Nineteen people were evacuated when the road collapsed because of heavy rains and severe flooding.

Joe Crawford and his family were displaced, but Crawford said dealing with flooding is a way of life.

"You're always cautious about it. And when you live on the river, you've just got to be ready to get out when it's time to get out."

County crews went to work Wednesday, creating a temporary road to the community. Crawford said he was pleased with the progress.

"People that have come down here and called just wanting to help is unbelievable. Hale County's really come together as a family."

Flood waters still threatened parts of the County.

District One Commissioner Scott Hallman said crews work hard to prevent flooding year-round, but the County's budget is limited.

"[We] try to keep everything motor graded and the ditches and turn outs clean to alleviate water problems," Hallman said, "Once we have a flood like this, they [crews] act very quickly and try to get everything back to normal and get people into their homes."

County leaders were still surveying the damage Wednesday. They said it was too early to tell when the road would be fixed and at what cost.

Many of the evacuees were staying with family members. The West Alabama Red Cross helped people who were displaced.