News
Governor Declares Emergency in SE Ohio, Braces For Flooding
By: Susan Tebben
Posted on:
UPDATE 2 p.m. Feb. 25 — The Hocking River is now estimated to crest at 17.1 feet, which is below flood stage, according to the National Weather Service. Roads around the area are still seeing flooding, so officials are still urging caution while travelling around the region. The Ohio River is now set to crest at 45.7 feet at Pomeroy, which is just below flood stage. The Scioto River, however is set to crest above flood stage, at 24 feet on Monday afternoon.
As Southeast Ohio braces for potential severe weather and flooding, Governor John Kasich’s office has opened up funding to help with what’s needed once the rivers crest.
The emergency declaration was issued for 17 counties due to “dangerous conditions resulting from severe storms and heavy rains,” according to a press release about the declaration.
According to flood models from the National Weather Service, the Hocking River is estimated to crest at 22.5 feet at about 1 a.m. on Monday. This is down from a previous estimate of 24 feet, and Athens city officials said in a release that they would continue to monitor the models as the weather unfolds.
The Ohio River is set to crest at 49 feet at Pomeroy on Tuesday and 38 feet in Marietta, National Weather Service data predicts.
With the announcement, the governor can allow the use of state resources to help local officials, including the activation of the National Guard.
The National Guard was brought to Portsmouth to help install flood gates as part of the emergency, and sandbags were delivered to the Nelsonville Fire Department.
Jay Carey, external affairs chief for the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, said the state has been gearing up for the potential flooding, including monitoring weather changes and fueling up satellite trailers to respond to emergency areas.
“We’ve been monitoring the flood level since last weekend, and we’ve been in contact with local agencies as we prepare,” Carey said.
Counties included in the declaration are Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Clermont, Columbiana, Gallia, Hamilton, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Monroe, Meigs, Muskingum, Scioto and Washington.
Carey said while the state is preparing as best they can for the potential flooding, residents of the counties can prepare themselves by creating a family communication plan in the event of separation, and an emergency preparedness kit.