WHITEVILLE, TN -
(WMC-TV) - Rapidly rising creek water quickly washed away part of Murphy Lane in Whiteville, Tenn. Sunday morning.
"There's actually been two or three 10-foot sections of pavement peeled back because the water is moving so swiftly," said Whiteville Police Chief Steven Stanley.
A neighborhood located on the other side of the of the raging water became a virtual island, leaving dozens of families stranded.
"There's approximately 50 to 75 people that live back there," said Stanley.
They could not get out while family members could not get in.
By nightfall, at least 100 tons of riprap and 50 tons of gravel arrived in an attempt to temporarily patch the road.
Hardeman County's road superintendent said this area has long been a concern and constant source of problems.
"But now we have a contract, now, to build the road up four feet and put in a new 60-foot bridge which will help," said Hardeman County's road superintendent David Sipes.
Meanwhile, police will continue to monitor things whenever there is heavy rain and if someone will try to make it across the flooded road.
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