Sonny Groves

Sonny Groves, often referred to as the unofficial mayor of Arrowhead, also belongs to the neighborhood group and agrees it has had a positive impact during the flood.He said the philosophy of the group is simple.

"The ones who are still here are looking out for the ones that are gone," said Groves.Like Dorman, he has a pistol strapped to his side.
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But the Dorman and Groves aren't planning to stop their activities.
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Groves said the volunteers who patrol the community have honorable intentions and they do not intend to be aggressive with their firearms.But he said the firearms do come in handy when they see water moccasins, an ill-tempered aggressive poisonous snake.He said he can't count the number of moccasins he has shot since the river spilled over its banks.

Most of the men doing the patrolling have concealed firearm licenses, like himself, Groves said.They know their purpose is to be the eyes and ears of community residents while they are gone.

"We're not going out vigilante-style," Groves said.

"I shot two water moccasins and a rattlesnake this morning," said Sonny Groves, a resident and head of the Arrowhead Homeowner's Association.

One snake was found behind Hall's home as bags were being put in their place.Everyone admitted to being extra careful where they stepped.

And then Mother Nature made sure she kept everyone on his or her toes by dropping more rain in the early afternoon.

Sonny Groves, often referred to as the unofficial mayor of Arrowhead, said National Weather Service never has the river readings correct.He said Arrowhead does its own measurements and the river on Friday had risen to 11 feet.

Residents have armed themselves with guns to protect their property, he said.Several people have been "run off" from Arrowhead because they had no business being there, he said.

"We don't make no bones about it," Groves said."People are carrying their guns where they can be seen."

Groves estimates about 75 of the roughly 300 families in Arrowhead are remaining in their homes, himself included.The others have evacuated.