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SAND SPRINGS — Barbara Jackson was a little perplexed when she got a text message from someone wanting to buy her property.
The white, single-story house that sits on the south side of Oklahoma 51 just half a mile west of Oklahoma 97 has been uninhabitable since May 2019, when it was inundated with floodwaters that rose nearly to the ceiling.
“The house had 7 feet of water in it,” Jackson said. “It was already sitting 3 feet off the ground, and the water was 7 feet high inside.”
Jackson ignored the text message. She didn’t know at the time that the communication was only the first attempt to cheat her out of her rightful buyout offer from Tulsa County
Although Jackson, 78, had lived her entire life before the 2019 flood on the acre-plus property — land that has been her family’s for about 95 years — it was only partly sentimentality that made her so dismissive of the possible offer.
She just couldn’t imagine it would be worth anything to anyone else.
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About a half-mile west of Jackson’s place is the Meadow Valley subdivision, and a little farther west of there, across the highway to the north, is the Town and Country Addition.
Flooding woes along that section of Oklahoma 51 are no secret. Even so, two floods stand out above all the others.
“In my lifetime, there was only two — the one in ’86 and 2019,” Jackson said.
“And 2019 was worse because it contaminated the land,” she said, referring to the waste from septic tanks and other debris that washed eastward toward her place from other area homes.
After that, “the city said the only way to live there was to elevate the house 8 feet off the ground.”
“I was angry — very angry. Because it made no sense to me to elevate it that high at my age,” she said, imagining out loud the elevator she’d need just to get in her house.
Although an elevator was never in the plan, Jackson had recently done some work on the house before that May 2019 flood.
“I had retired and remodeled the inside of the house,” she said. “I had paid off my car and truck and was getting ready to enjoy retirement.”
But in the flood, “I lost my house and lost my truck. It was just devastating,” she said.
Jackson lived with a couple from her church for three months before moving into a house in Sapulpa.
It’s the same house where, one day recently, she looked out to see a man peering over her gate and looking around her yard.
She asked him how she could help him, and he said he had been told that she owned the property along Oklahoma 51.
He also claimed to know that the house was worth only about $9,000. He said the county was going to offer her only about $7,000 through a buyout but that if she’d sell it to him, he’d give her $40,000.
Jackson wasn’t born yesterday.
“I’m going to wait to see what I find out from the buyout,” she told the man.
The encounter left her feeling vulnerable, and that’s what has Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith and others working on the buyout program so upset — that folks who already have lost so much are now in danger of losing even more to unscrupulous people trying to make a quick buck.
Tulsa County officials announced in April that $14.7 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding would be made available in the form of buyouts for residents whose homes were damaged by the May 2019 catastrophic flooding.
The floodwaters along the Arkansas River submerged hundreds of homes and businesses from west of Sand Springs east toward downtown Tulsa, as well as elsewhere across the metropolitan area and state.
All told, the flooding wreaked havoc across a dozen counties in four states, with more than a thousand homes inundated, including more than 300 in and around Sand Springs.
Losses totaled $3 billion, officials have reported.
Lacie Jones, a project manager for Meshek & Associates, which is overseeing the flood buyout process for Tulsa County, said Jackson isn’t the only flood victim to have been approached by someone not affiliated with the buyout, though the issue isn’t widespread.
“I do think that they’re going to start coming out of the woodwork as we get further into the program,” she said last week. “Unfortunately, there’s just bad people out there that want to take advantage of the system.”
And the system, unfortunately, is giving them plenty of time to scheme and scam.
Officials held four public meetings in April to gauge interest in the voluntary buyout. For much of the rest of the year, the process will involve determining the project’s scope, identifying applicants, acquiring cost estimates, prioritizing recipients and conducting any needed environmental reviews of property.
It’s uncertain exactly when homeowners could expect to receive offers on their properties, but project officials said in April that they were optimistic it would be within a year.
Jones said last week the response to the buyout program “was greater than what we expected. We were concerned that people would be leery and not interested.”
But at present, “we have 158 voluntary participation applications,” she said, adding that “right now, the need appears to be over $33 million.”
She said the county is “looking at all funding options” and trying to supplement the $14.7 million currently in the kitty, adding that perhaps some FEMA money might become available.
But in the meantime, Jones wants to keep rightful recipients from being scammed.
“If they’re not contacted by someone from Meshek & Associates — really, that is the only entity that is going to initiate the program,” she said. “If they have not heard from us, then they should call and check with us.”
Jones said any agents from the firm attempting to communicate with homeowners will have badges and business cards identifying them.
“We’re also going to try to keep the county’s social media up to date” so people can know what phase the process is in, she said.
Jackson, meanwhile, said she felt like it was important to tell others what happened to her as a cautionary tale.
“I just would like other people not to be scammed,” she said. “I would certainly hope that other people don’t take in some of this nonsense.
“I have been so stressed, and my (blood) pressure’s running so high,” she added.
“I feel like I have a black cloud over my head, and it’s raining all the time.”
Gallery: May 2019 flood photos from around the area
TULSA FLOODING

Sarah Buckingham moves her motorcycle to higher ground at Cherry Hill Park at West 48th Street South and South Elwood Ave. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Sharon Sorrell watches as water rises along a makeshift levee that she and her boyfriend built at her home in the Garden City neighborhood at 36th Place and Galveston Avenue on Wednesday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Sharon Sorrell stands on her back porch as water rises to the right of a makeshift levee that she and her boyfriend built at her home in the home Garden City neighborhood at 36th Place and Galveston Ave. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Sharon Sorrell stands on her back porch as water rises to the right of a makeshift levee that she and her boyfriend built at her home in the home Garden City neighborhood at 36th Place and Galveston Ave. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

City Counselor Jeannie Cue talks to a city of Tulsa employee while touring the Garden City neighborhood on Wednesday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

City Councilor Jeannie Cue makes her way back to her truck while touring the Garden City Neighborhood Wednesday, May 29, 2019. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Water rices near Sharon Sorrell’s home in the Garden City neighborhood at 36th Place and Galveston Ave. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Sarah Buckingham drives into Cherry Hill Park at West 48th Street South and South Elwood Ave. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

at the 727 Lofts in downtown Jenks Wednesday, May 29, 2019. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Tammy Dodd, who is homeless, seeks shelter from the rain at QuikTrip in west Tulsa after her homeless camp near the levee was washed away due to the flooding Arkansas River Wednesday, May 29, 2019. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Matthew Zimmer sits on the porch of his Turley home that was flooded at 66th Street North and and Birmingham Ave. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Zimmer called his all the belongings in his home, which he rents, a total loss. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Sam Poteet stands in front of his home in the Garden City neighborhood, where most of his neighbors have evacuated. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Matthew Zimmer looks at belongings from his Turley home that was flooded at 66th Street North and and Birmingham Ave. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Zimmer called his all the belongings in his home, which he rents, a total loss. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Sarah Buckingham walks in front of her mobile home at Cherry Hill Park at 48th Street and Elwood Avenue. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Justin Fouts heads into his home with a bag of ice as rain falls in the Garden City neighborhood on Wednesday. The power in the neighborhood has been turned off due to flooding, and authorities have advised residents to evacuate. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Sharon Sorrell stands on her back porch as water rises to the right of a makeshift levee that she and her boyfriend built at her home in the home Garden City neighborhood at 36th Place and Galveston Ave. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Matthew Zimmer looks out the front door of his Turley home that was flooded at 66th Street North and and Birmingham Ave. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Zimmer called his all the belongings in his home, which he rents, a total loss. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
TULSA FLOODING

Matthew Zimmer in his Turley home that was flooded at 66th Street North and and Birmingham Ave. Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Zimmer called his all the belongings in his home, which he rents, a total loss. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

Braggs Fire Chief Tim Smith walks away from a flooded section of Oklahoma 10 in Braggs on Wednesday. Floodwaters have cut the town off from other cities by road. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

A railcar drives on train tracks from Fort Gibson to deliver supplies to Braggs on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

Flood waters sit on Highway 10 in Braggs on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Highway 10 on both sides of the town had flooded causing the town to be cut off from other parts of Oklahoma. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

Kyle Coleman, 16, of Braggs, pulls his boat out of the water while helping carry people to the highway in Braggs on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

Bruce Ross and 16-year-old Kyle Coleman, both of Braggs, drive their boat to see if anyone needs to be picked up from the highway in Braggs on Wednesday. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

A railcar drives on train tracks from Fort Gibson to deliver supplies to Braggs on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

Stacie Isbell grabs a case of water from fellow Braggs resident Charles Cauthom while unloading donated supplies from Fort Gibson on Wednesday. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

John Smith and Muskogee County EMS Keara Jones relax after unloading donated supplies from Fort Gibson in Braggs on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

Braggs Fire Chief Tim Smith walks away from a flooded section of Highway 10 in Braggs on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Floodwaters have risen on either side of the town causing it be cutoff from other cities by road. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

Floodwaters closed Oklahoma 10 in Braggs last week. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

Braggs Fire Chief Tim Smith walks away from flooded farmland in Braggs on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

Braggs Fire Chief Tim Smith looks out at flooded farmland in Braggs on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Braggs Flood

Charles Cauthom, of Braggs, grabs a bag of feed from Braggs Fire Chief Tim Smith while unloading donated supplies from Fort Gibson in Braggs on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and children react after Stitt failed to make a half court basket during his visit to Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt reacts after making a three pointer while playing a game of pig against Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell ,not pictured, during their visit to Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt talks to children during his visit to Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt high fives kids after winning a game of pig against Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell , not pictured, during their visit to Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt talks to children during his visit to Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Gov. Kevin Stitt throws his hands into the air after winning a game of PIG against Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, not pictured, during their visit to Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell talk while touring Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt talks to Zoe Hyde, 8, of Muskogee while visiting a distribution center for victims of recent flooding at Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt throws his hands in the air after winning a game of pig against Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell , not pictured, during their visit to Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt walks past tables of supplies while visiting a distribution center for victims of recent flooding at Fort Gibson High School during their visit on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and children react after Stitt failed to make a half court basket during his visit to Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt high fives kids after winning a game of pig against Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell , not pictured, during their visit to Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt talks to children during his visit to Fort Gibson High School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Governor’s Fort Gibson Visit

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, and Tim Murphy, of Fort Gibson, listen to questions while at a distribution center for victims of recent flooding at Fort Gibson High School during their visit on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. IAN MAULE/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

Omar Garcia (left) and Josito Soto clear a downspout with Gustavo Suastegui and Thomas Eaminorreal in downtown Bixby during heavy rain on Wednesday. KELLY BOSTIAN/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

Bixby Police Sgt. Tim Scrivner talks with friends trying to reach residents behind flooded roadways near Bentley Park in Bixby on Wednesday, May 29, 2019.
KELLY BOSTIAN/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

Tammy Johnson, right, and friend Julie Abel eye the water entering Johnson’s backyard at Stadium Drive and B Street in Bixby early Wednesday, May 29, 2019. KELLY BOSTIAN/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

Rising water nears the football stadium at Bixby High School on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. KELLY BOSTIAN/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

One of many indicators to monitor rising water in a flooded opening off Stadium Street in downtown Bixby Wednesday, May 29, 2019. KELLY BOSTIAN/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

Omar Garcia, left and Josito Soto clear a down spout in heavy rain with Gustavo Suastegui and Thomas Eaminorreal outside a downtown Bixby business Wednesday, May 29, 2019. KELLY BOSTIAN/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

Water rises at the entrance to the Parkwood neighborhood in Bixby Wednesday, May 29, 2019. KELLY BOSTIAN/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

A Bixby Fire Department firefighter checks water levels at one of many checkpoints placed around town on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. KELLY BOSTIAN/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

Riverview Drive is blocked off due to high water at the entrance to Bixby High School Wednesday, May 29, 2019. KELLY BOSTIAN/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

Omar Garcia, left and Josito Soto clear a down spout in heavy rain with Gustavo Suastegui and Thomas Eaminorreal outside a downtown Bixby business Wednesday, May 29, 2019. KELLY BOSTIAN/Tulsa World
Bixby high water 2019

Bixby high water 2019
Jenks Water

Storm water drains flooding in the Wind River neighborhood near 121st and Delaware in Jenks, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Jenks Water

Flooding in the Wind River neighborhood near 121st and Delaware in Jenks, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Jenks Water

Flooding in the Wind River neighborhood near 121st and Delaware in Jenks, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Jenks Water

Flooding in the Wind River neighborhood near 121st and Delaware in Jenks, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Jenks Water

Flooding in the Wind River neighborhood near 121st and Delaware in Jenks, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Jenks Water

Storm water drains flooding in the Wind River neighborhood near 121st and Delaware in Jenks, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Jenks Water

Flooding in the Wind River neighborhood near 121st and Delaware in Jenks, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Jenks Water

Flooding preparations are seen in the Wind River neighborhood near 121st and Delaware in Jenks on Wednesday. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Volunteer

Cotton Disaster Solutions from Houston, TX helps fill sandbags at ORU at a makeshift sandbag making operation in Tulsa, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Volunteer

City of Tulsa employees load sandbags into a car at ORU at a makeshift sandbag making operation in Tulsa, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Volunteer

Cotton Disaster Solutions from Houston, TX helps fill sandbags at ORU at a makeshift sandbag making operation in Tulsa, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Volunteer

(left) Roel Tellez and Fabian Delangel of Cotton Disaster Solutions from Houston, TX helps fill sandbags at ORU at a makeshift sandbag making operation in Tulsa, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Volunteer

Cotton Disaster Solutions from Houston, TX helps fill sandbags at ORU at a makeshift sandbag making operation in Tulsa, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Volunteer

(left) City of Tulsa employees Brett Russell and Jose Martinez load sandbags into a car at ORU at a makeshift sandbag making operation in Tulsa, OK, May 29, 2019. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Volunteers from Texas arrive in Tulsa to help fill sandbags amid flooding
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