Wild Water: Marietta and Mid Ohio Valley anticipating water receding
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Marietta officials are keeping an eye on flood water levels and preparing for inevitable cleanup as volunteers distribute supplies to those affected by the recent flooding.
Fire Chief C.W. Durham said the department rescued a couple of vehicles from high water.
"We've had at least a couple of vehicles surrounded by high water that we've assisted with," he said.
The department also rescued a citizen by water.
"Someone's house on Charles Street was surrounded by water. We used a flat bottom boat to rescue them and bring them back to dry land," he said.
Mayor Josh Schlicher said the city hasn't started the cleaning up process yet due to waiting for water levels to retreat.
"It's a holding pattern until the water starts to recede," he said.
According to the National Weather Service, water levels were measured at 39.6 feet at 4 p.m. Friday.
Schlicher also said streets that are currently closed will most likely remain so throughout the weekend due to high water.
"We ask that if you see a Road Closed sign, do not cross it. If you have property in those areas, we will allow you access to it. But if you are out going around, please don't," he said.
He said city officials knew the flooding was coming and have had meetings each morning this week with each department head to coordinate efforts and delegate responsibilities. He described their work together as "spot on."
Schlicher said a command center of workers and volunteers will be set up at the Parking Partners parking lot off Second Street.
A dumpster will also be located there. Schlicher said its intended use is for cleanup debris from particular areas.
"We ask that people using the dumpster have a business in Marietta or are affected by the flood in the immediate Marietta area," he said.
Schlicher also expressed his appreciation for volunteers, whether citizens, Marietta College students, or Boy Scouts.
"We've distributed around 5,000 sandbags to help businesses with the flood. We've had a lot of great volunteers come out and help us," he said.
In a press release from Marietta College, Colin Campagne walked through downtown Marietta Thursday morning to check on the rising water levels and ask people at local businesses if they needed help shoring up their storefronts.
"I lived in Florida for nine years, so this isn't my first rodeo when it comes to preparing for mass flooding," Campagne said in the release. "I genuinely want to help because I know this is tough, what the homeowners and business owners are going through right now. Plus, I'm always downtown, and I love it here."
Claire Strickland, the head of Sigma Kappa sorority philanthropy efforts, also coordinated with the college's fellow Greek organizations to bring students together to help.
"Right away, we see places across the river underwater and people downtown packing in U-Hauls, putting signs on their doors and sandbags on the front of the buildings, so we knew how serious this was going to be for them," Strickland said in the release. "Not to sound cliche, but it really touched my heart because these aren't big corporations with tons of money. These are small businesses and real people with families who need help right now. I knew we could organize groups and actually do something."
Another group rallying together to help flood victims is the Belpre Church of Christ at 2932 Washington Blvd. Church member Jim Nolen said the church received a distribution of various supplies from the Church of Christ disaster center in Nashville. He said they gave supplies to six area police and fire departments.
"We have rakes, shovels, detergent, bleach, boxes with baby supplies, personal care items, and food boxes," he said.
Nolen said he wanted to help his fellow community members affected by the floods.
"I think people have had to relocate to shelters if their homes have been flooded. We're helping build the community back together," he said.
Nolen said the church will be open for supply pick up from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Washington County Emergency Management Agency Administrative Assistant Crystal Schau said a supply truck will be available at Marietta U-Haul at 502 Pike St. from 2 p.m. to 5 pm. Saturday. The truck will have cleaning supplies, hygienic supplies and some personal care items.
Schlicher said floods can't be prevented due to the city's location, but they can slow down the progress. Officials are prepared to respond when it happens.
Kristen Hainkel can be contacted at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com