Choctaw Family Evacuates As Home Seeps Into Canadian River

Fridays storms are still causing havoc in the metro. In Choctaw, one family was on the verge of losing their home on Thursday.

The Buford family said they saw it coming, but didn't know it would be this soon that their home for nearly a decade could fall into the river.

6/6/2013 Related Story: River Flooding, Erosion Swallows Structures In Choctaw

"We're packing up, we're getting the heck out of here," said Gary Buford, the homeowner. "I'm not, I mean I'm not going to live with one more rain. Can take me while I'm in bed."

As each minute creeps, the Buford's barn in Choctaw slowly seeps slowly off the edge of the north Canadian river.

"We had 40 acres, now we don't have but about three," said Rhonda Buford.

First, went their horse barn, then their pole barn, and police evacuated their son's house while theirs and their cousin's trailer risk being washed away.

Dozens of volunteers are helping the Buford's pack, but they still need more help.

"The most frustrating part is asking for help from FEMA and the Red Cross, and them telling us that we don't qualify," Rhonda Buford said.

So a flood of volunteers showed up to help out, many they don't even know.

Congressman James Lankford put out the word, and then three local churches and help from the Cheesecake Factory showed up to the Buford's home and started boxing everything they own.

Numerous neighbors helped clear each room and packed trailers, fearing the family's homes could disappear.

"We have furniture in every trailer available. They don't even know who owns the trailers," said Rick Sowell, Pastor of the Choctaw Road Baptist Church.

"Just trusting their neighbors, their friends, that things wind up where they're supposed to be," he said.

Now, The family is rushing to get out before time runs out.

"If they don't stop that river, it's going to take that road," Gary Buford said. "Then, it will take that farm over there. The river will do what it wants to, you're not going to stop the river."

Just about all the Buford's things were packed Thursday. Now, the family's looking for a place to stay.