Those Downstream Of Padera Lake Dam Still Have Fears

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ELLIS COUNTY(CBSDFW.COM) - About a mile downstream from the Padera Lake dam neighbors were worried Wednesday.

Water from overflowing creeks connected to the full lake, just feet from crossing the road, was rising.

While Ellis County engineers say they're confident the dam will hold, those who live down stream see it differently.

"I don't put a lot of trust in what people say. I go by what I see," says resident Cobina Post.

And what Post sees on her ranch is a creek overflowing just hours after county officials warned the dam could collapse.

"They were acting like the whole thing was just going to give way and a 25 foot wall was going to come down of water."

Early Wednesday morning police went door to door warning neighbors to evacuate.

"She came knocking - hollering - you got to evacuate - the dam is going to break," said Lois Ashley.

The Ashleys heeded that warning and left but decided to come back home and say they plan on staying no matter the forecast.

"Now we have electricity, a refrigerator stocked," said Ashley.

Coutny officials say the Ashley's home, like most in the area are not at risk of being flooded.  At least not now.  The bigger concern is homeowners becoming trapped due to flooded roads.  Post says if that's the worst that happens, she's ready.

Neighbors say the creeks that are overflowing are up 12 to 15 feet compared to this time last year.

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