Oak Grove Weighs Flood Mitigation and Rescue Boat Purchase

City officials discuss drainage basin issues and decide against buying a rescue boat for the fire department.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Oak Grove City Council recently met to discuss flood mitigation efforts in the Shadow Ridge neighborhood, which experienced severe flooding in 2025. Public Works Director Brian Ahart provided an update on plans to excavate and expand the drainage basin, but noted logistical challenges with accessing the site. The council also decided against purchasing a $5,000 rescue boat for the fire department, opting instead to buy electric vehicle safety tools that would be more frequently used.

Why it matters

Flooding is a recurring issue in Oak Grove, especially in the Shadow Ridge area, and the city is working to find solutions to mitigate the problem. The decision not to purchase a rescue boat reflects the fire department's assessment of the limited need for such equipment compared to other safety priorities.

The details

In March and April 2025, the Shadow Ridge neighborhood experienced severe flooding, with several feet of sewage and floodwater filling homes. Public Works Director Brian Ahart said the city is working to expand the drainage basin in the area, but is facing logistical challenges with accessing the site. Meanwhile, the Oak Grove Fire Department decided against purchasing a $5,000 rescue boat, citing concerns about storage and limited usage. Instead, the department will use the funds to buy electric vehicle safety tools that can be used more frequently.

  • In March 2025, the Shadow Ridge neighborhood experienced flooding.
  • In April 2025, a major flood event brought over a foot of rain to Oak Grove, exacerbating the flooding in Shadow Ridge.
  • In October 2025, the city proposed investing in further excavation of the drainage basin in Shadow Ridge.
  • On March 3, 2026, the Oak Grove City Council discussed the status of the drainage basin project and the fire department's decision not to purchase a rescue boat.

The players

Brian Ahart

The Public Works Director for the City of Oak Grove, responsible for providing an update on the drainage basin project in the Shadow Ridge neighborhood.

Bill Johnson

The Oak Grove Fire Chief, who explained the department's decision not to purchase a rescue boat due to limited usage and storage concerns.

John Campbell

An Oak Grove City Councilmember, who discussed alternative equipment purchases that would better serve the fire department and community.

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What they’re saying

“From a fiscal responsibility aspect, yes, we budgeted for that, but how often is it going to get used?”

— Bill Johnson, Oak Grove Fire Chief (christiancountynow.com)

“I just think this is going to be more useful to the department and the community than the boat would be. The number of EV cars that are out there right now and the number of accidents that we go to, we're going to run across that far more often that we would have any use for the boat.”

— John Campbell, Oak Grove City Councilmember (christiancountynow.com)

What’s next

The Oak Grove City Council will need to amend the city's capital budget to accommodate the purchase of the electric vehicle safety tools for the fire department.

The takeaway

Oak Grove is taking a pragmatic approach to flood mitigation and emergency response, focusing resources on solutions that address the community's most pressing needs, such as dealing with the recurring flooding in the Shadow Ridge neighborhood and equipping the fire department with tools that can be used more frequently.