Flooding in Athens was expected to reach a near-record level yesterday, forcing government officials to close portions of East State and West Union streets and to keep close watch on several other roads.
According to data from the National Weather Service, the Hocking River near Athens had reached 22.28 feet early last night, more than two feet above the flood elevation level of 20 feet. The flood elevation level is the point at which water begins to come over the riverbank, said Ray Hazlett, assistant service/safety director for the city of Athens.
The flood was expected to crest, or reach its highest point, at 23.7 feet sometime between midnight and noon today, according to National Weather Service data.
Wherever (the water level) gets to
it will probably stay there for a day Hazlett said.
If the flood crests at 23.7 feet, it will be the fifth most severe flood in Athens history and the largest since 1968, according to the National Weather Service. The most severe flood in Athens history crested at 27 feet in 1907.
No injuries or vehicle complications were reported inside the city as of late yesterday evening, according to officials at the Athens Police and Fire Departments. However, officials said it was possible that there were vehicles with complications of which they were not aware. Countywide, one or two vehicles were trapped in water yesterday afternoon, said Tracy Galway, spokeswoman for the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services. No injuries or deaths were reported in Athens County.
So far it's been slow and steady water so we've not been hit with a rush so that the pumps can't keep up
Galway said. There's been one or two people that have gotten stuck in water on (county) roadways
but nothing critical at all.
Flooding was especially severe on East State Street, forcing city officials to shut down the road between the intersection at Kroger Food and Cook Drive yesterday afternoon. Hazlett estimated that the road would not open until at least Saturday when crest levels begin to fall.
Between Wal-Mart and Kroger
it's like the low point. Basically the drainage runs out to that point and then goes out to the river. So when the river's full
it backs up
Hazlett said, adding that the hydraulic system on East State Street has worked well so far.
In addition to closing East State Street, city government closed a portion of West Union Street near Larry's Dawghouse, 410 W. Union St.
As of yesterday evening, officials were also looking at potentially closing a portion of Elliotsville Road off of West Union Street and a portion of Columbus Road, said Hazlett.
Galway said the corner of West Union Street and state Route 682 and the bike path behind the hospital were also severely flooded areas.
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