Memorial Service Honors Those Lost in Historic Flooding Event

OXORD — The Oxford community came together on Monday, Aug. 18 to honor two of their own who lost their lives in the flash flooding that hit the area in August 2024.

Family, friends and neighbors joined both local, state and federal officials in a ceremony dedicating two benches next to Kirk’s Pond in memory of Oxford residents Ethelyn Joiner and Audrey Rostkowski, both of whom tragically lost their lives in the flash flooding last summer. A memorial stone marking the historic flood event was also unveiled at the ceremony.

The passage of time has led to significant rebuilding efforts from the damage caused that day, but the memory of those who were lost their lives will never be forgotten.

“Last August brought torrential rains and fast-rising streams and rivers like we’ve never seen before. It was a dark couple of days for our community. I am thankful and grateful to all those who have contributed to the cause in order to make sure we can remember all of our friends and neighbors who lost so much, and to pay tribute to our first responders who didn’t hesitate to put themselves in harm’s way in order to save so many people who were in danger,” said State Rep. Arnold Jensen (R-Oxford).

Rep. Jensen was instrumental in recently securing more than $780,000 in recently approved state funding to help cleanup debris still stuck in Little River, and reiterated his commitment to fighting for sufficient funding until all cleanup and restoration efforts are complete throughout his district.