Shop owners, volunteers make way for higher water
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Volunteers converged on downtown shops Saturday as the Ohio River crest levels predicted by the National Weather Service increased first to 38.7 then to more than 40 feet.
"This is the meaning of community," said Sylvi Caporale as more than fifty residents, high school soccer players, college students and other local business owners moved flags and poles upstairs in her store, moved shelving out and carried large furniture up the street to Putnam Community Church.
The Washington County Alert System sent out a text just after noon stating that the Ohio River's crest prediction was raised to 40.1 feet and notifying local residents that parts of Front, Second, Greene, and Putnam streets were closed to allow for merchants like Caporale and others to move out their wares and for residents to move their belongings.
According to the National Weather Service Marietta is considered in a major flood at 40 feet.
Amy Tucker, IT Specialist for the Marietta City Administration sent out an email to media asking that local news organizations let the public know about the road closures.
"Please stay out of the area," she wrote. "Sand will be available in the Parking Partners lot on Second Street."
Ohio, Hart, Putnam, South Seventh, Charles, Pike, Walnut, Stone and Virginia streets were also closed with the rising waters and Gilman Avenue's coverage grew as the morning passed with both the college and high school boathouses' bays filling with water and the Rotary pavilion on the west side nearly underwater entirely by mid-afternoon.
Councilman Mike McCauley was downtown to lend a hand with work gloves, a jacket and jeans on lifting alongside the George Broughton, Melissa Arnold and Vicki Ayers.
"It's my ward so of course I'd be here it's that simple," said McCauley. "The first flood I remember was in 1948. I remember getting in the flood boat with my grandfather and we rowed out to County House Lane to cut the wires so the cows could get out of the fence to higher ground."
Higher ground was indeed to goal for downtown merchants as Jeremiah's Coffee House closed its doors and put out a plea for individuals to move their cars from Post Street.
There were even a few cars parked in water in the Armory parking lot as the Muskingum continued to rise.
Others posted on social media photos of the Boathouse BBQ underwater on the west side, panoramic views of rising docks at the boat club and trees making their way downriver.
Then snow began falling after 1 p.m.
But Bill White, CEO of Offenberger and White, said local residents and businesses shouldn't panic about more precipitation downtown.
"That's not what is going to raise the water levels here, if there's rain up north and it flows down that's what will raise it," he said noting Saturday morning that his business on Fort Street facing the Muskingum from Harmar had yet to see water. "And these benchmarks can change as the topography changes as dirt gets moved around or things get built out on the Pike…We ride it out and try to stay dry and our breakers are placed higher."
He said he has spent the weekend guiding friends who are experiencing the rivers flooding for the first time.
"I was talking with Jennifer Sturgill (owner of Green Acres in the 100 block of Front Street) and she was worried, this is her first flood. But a bunch of Veritas (Academy) kids went in and moved her things out of the basement," he said.
Others simply came down to Marietta to lend a hand.
"They were kind to me when I forgot my phone during First Friday," said Amy Stapp, of Cambridge, after lifting wooden shelves, desks, cabinets and benches out of American Flags and Poles and carrying them around the corner and up Putnam Street. "I thought since I was already in Marietta for a dentist appointment why not come and pay that kindness back."
George Broughton brought truckloads of displays from the store up to his complex on Ohio 821.
"I'm just helping a friend since my property is dry," he said. "We've been through this many times with bookstores, Brownies, it's just what you do, when you have the space you help."
Marietta Main Street Director Cristie Thomas also noted that Lowe's had donated two skids of sand bags and were en route to Marietta around 2 p.m. When they arrive they will be placed at Parking Partners on Second.
Tucker also emailed media notifying communication restraints of the city wastewater plant.
"The telephone land lines at the Marietta Wastewater Treatment Plant are out of service until further notice," she said. "If there is a sewer emergency please call 740-516-9299 and leave a message. An operator will return your call as soon as possible. The rest of the plant is operating (normally)."
By the numbers
¯ Duck Creek at Whipple crested at 14.7 feet at 1 a.m. Saturday.
¯ The Muskingum River at McConnelsville crested at 11.16 feet at 2 p.m. Friday but is predicted to rise to 10.5 feet Monday before 2 p.m.
¯ The Muskingum River at Beverly crested at 31.8 feet at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
¯ The Ohio River at Willow Island Lock was observed at 39.58 feet at 1 p.m. Saturday.
¯ The Ohio River at Marietta is predicted to crest at 40.1 feet Sunday.
Source: National Weather Service.