WGFA (Watseka, IL) General Manager Stacey Smith found boat transportation to be the most convenient way to get to work at the station during December flooding. Stacey said, “It's not uncommon to flood here. And unfortunately, the floods are getting more frequent and in some cases severe.” The history of Watseka is that it was founded by Native Americans and settled primarily due to the trapping industry with both the Iroquois River and Sugar Creek meeting in town. “We are also very low in elevation. Similar to a bowl. And we are in the center of it. Our county government is currently working on getting a Federal declaration for Iroquois County. We had many homes and businesses completely flooded.” She added, “The December flood of 2015, was the third our little community experienced this year alone.
The big flood was in 2008 and that was absolutely devastating.” She continued, “WGFA is located under our towers just north of town, with the banks of the river and creek settled behind us. So naturally, when we get a ton of rain, we tend to flood. The road goes under, and we make alternate plans. If it's really muddy, an ATV doesn't work to go around the field to the north of us. Nine times out of 10, we travel via boat. Which is always ‘nicer’ in the summer—although there's nothing too nice about a flood.” She concludes, “The past few floods, we have been fortunate to have the Watseka Fire Department take us in via boat toward the upper side of the road where we can drive the station van through the minimal water that covers that portion or take the neighbor's canoe and paddle on toward work. Warm clothes and a good sense of humor are definitely required for winter floods in Illinois— and a very generous fire department!” About the station history, Stacey said, “My Dad put the stations on the air in 1961, and he and my mother still own them (55 years of locally owned operation in the World's Greatest Farming Area). We are very fortunate.” Photo above was taken on a trip during December flooding heading away from WGFA.
