Flood — Meigs, Ohio

2005-01-07 to 2005-01-10 · Meigs, Ohio

Wider weather episode

Separate waves of rain moved along a strong west to east frontal zone in the Ohio Valley, from late on the 3rd into the early morning hours of the 8th. To the south of the boundary, dew points were in the 50 to 55 degree range. The heaviest rain amounts were from Perry County on north and east into eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Preliminary 5 day totals were 5.2 inches for New Lexington, 4.6 inches at McConnelsville, 4.5 inches at Nelsonville, 4.2 inches at McArthur and Beverly, 3.4 inches at Athens, and 2.9 inches at Marietta. Small stream flooding started during the morning hours on the 5th, across Perry, Athens, Morgan, Vinton, and Washington Counties. Some of the flooded streams included Jonathan Creek in northern Perry County, plus Monday and Sunday Creeks in southern Perry County and northern Athens County. Sunday Creek crested at 15.8 feet on the 6th at Glouster, and near 23 feet at Millfield. On Monday Creek, the gauge at Doanville crested at 19.1 feet on the 6th. In Perry County, 9 families were evacuated. The small stream flooding across Vinton County was limited to flooded roads. Significant river flooding occurred on the Muskingum, the Hocking, and the Ohio River. The crest on the Hocking River at Athens was 23.7 feet around 1100E on the 7th. This was the highest level since the 24.65 feet observed on the 25th of May in 1968. It was the highest stage since the river was rechanneled in 1972. The crest level was also the 5th highest on record for Athens. Communities such as Nelsonville and Chauncey were flooded. The lowest and most vulnerable sections of Chauncey had water inside dwellings and other buildings. In Athens, the storm drainage system backup into the business area along East State Street. Some homes on Blick Avenue were flooded. West Union Street was also flooded and closed. Elsewhere in Athens County, the high water along the Ohio River affected Hockingport. All total, about 73 homes in Athens County had minor damage, 56 homes had major damage, and 11 homes were destroyed. About a dozen businesses applied for disaster loans.In McConnelsville of Morgan County, the Muskingum River crested at 13.45 feet around 1400E on the 6th. This was the highest level since the 13.8 feet seen back in March 1964. Water rescues were performed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the county sheriff department. An 85 year old woman was rescued from her flooded mobile home along the Muskingum River on the 6th. She did not want to evacuate earlier and had her pets inside. When finally rescued, she was sitting on a chair, with water almost up to her knees. Her feet were swollen. She never recovered from the hypothermia, and died several days later. A second crest would occur less than a week later, from additional rain and dam releases. See the 12th for details. In Morgan County, around 142 homes had minor damage. One furniture store in McConnelsville had flood waters inside. In Washington County, small stream and river damage was less severe than in September 2004. The Ohio River crested at 41.0 feet at Marietta 2SW during the predawn hours of the 8th. The crest was 42.4 feet the previous September. Flood stage is 34 feet. Downtown Marietta streets and businesses were still flooded, but sandbags protected most 1st floors. Further down the Ohio River, Racine Lock and Dam crested at 48.9 feet. The crest at Pomeroy was 50.5 feet around 0000E on the 9th. Flood stage is 46 feet at Pomeroy. Back in September 2004 the crest was 51.2 feet. Water still got into businesses. All total, Meigs County had 17 homes with minor damage, 2 homes with major damage, and 3 homes destroyed. Five businesses had major damage and 1 business was destroyed. The crest near Gallipolis, at the RC Byrd Lock and Dam was 50.3 feet around 1400E on the 9th. This was just over the 50 foot flood stage. For the Chesapeake to South Point reach of the river, the Huntington gauge crested at 51.8 feet during the evening hours of the 9th. This was about 6 inches higher than in September 2004. Flood stage at Huntington is 50 feet. Around 0845E on the 6th, just north of the Belleville Lock and Dam, the tugboat Jon Strong was heading up the Ohio River. After passing through the lock chamber, 9 of the 12 barges came loose in the strong currents. Three of barges sank under the gates of the dam, while 3 others were forced up against the dam pier houses. Three other barges went through the structure and were recovered downstream. Salvage crews did not remove all the damaged barges until the last day of the month. Since the gates could not be closed, the pool above Belleville Lock and Dam dropped 10 to 15 feet below normal. River traffic was suspended on the 19th. River bank slippage occurred around Hockingport during the unusually low levels late in the month. This caused damage to roads and a few homes. Water levels returned toward normal in early February.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5432741. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.