SHELL KNOB, Mo. -- If you live in the Big Bass Bend neighborhood, there are some things you learn the hard way.

"All of us know, when it's really pouring down rain, don't come over here," said resident Lonnie Vogt.

In the spring of 2008, Vogt and his neighbors could not drive to their homes. Instead, they had to boat across their only access road because Table Rock Lake overflowed, pouring onto Big Creek Road, where it stayed for four months. The water isolated them from the rest of town.

"Me and all the neighbors, basically we feel like we live in hell. No ambulance can get to us, no fire protection, the school buses won't get to us, can't get propane delivered, trash service won't do anything," said Vogt.

A little more than a year later, you can see a new road, now four feet higher.

"They brought this road up to the height of the bridge but the bridge itself was under water last year for 55 days," said Vogt.

Now that newly built bridge is washed out from the most recent flash flood.

"This flash flood has been a recurring issue. Two, three times a year, it will flash flood," said Vogt.

For Vogt, the solution is simple.

"Bring the road up or buy us all out."

He wants the road elevated so it will surpass Table Rock's flood pool of 931 feet. The current road elevation is at 928 feet but it all trickles down to money.

"We don't have the extra tax revenue to do it. And there's no additional money from the state or feds for that project," said Barry County Director of Emergency Management Dave Compton.

Until money is available, Vogt and his neighbors will have to make due with their new and improved road, even if it is a washout.