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“This one was much, much worse,” said Stockton Mayor Jack Roberts.
In 1991, Roberts had been a city councilman for one month when floods ravaged the town. In 1992, Roberts became the mayor. He estimates the flood of six months ago poured at least three or four feet more higher through town. Damages are estimated at $3.9 million for the town of 750.
Stockton hasn’t lost too many residents since August. Roberts says about three or four families left right
away. Most, Roberts said, are waiting around for buyout decisions. Sixteen are waiting for total buyout offers and
four are waiting for a “50/50” buyout, which enables them to keep their land and rebuild.
“Nothing is for certain,” Roberts said.
Of the 20-plus businesses in Stockton, all are reopened, Roberts said. Stockton even got one new business — Jack and Joanie’s, a café Robert runs with his wife. The couple hoped opening the town’s only restaurant which had sat boarded up for two years would help with the community’s spirit.
Stockton has never had much tourism, but after the flood there were plenty of curious onlookers stopping through.
“Everybody was looking and wanting to see how much devastation was done,” Roberts said.
Roberts says waiting for decisions to be made has been hard on the community.
“There’s no information about what’s going to happen next. People rely on government for answers but we’re not getting any,” Roberts said.
Roberts said the city council made the decision immediately after the flood not to force any homeowners out of their homes.
“You get a place and it’s your home. It’s hard to leave it.”
There are people buying new homes in town and Roberts does see hope.
“Don’t think that there isn’t progress,” Roberts said.
