Area officials watch for flooding
CLOSE OBSERVATION — A hand-made marker at Wellsburg’s 12th Street boat dock marks the current height of the Ohio River. Area officials are watching the river and other tributaries closely for potential flooding. -- Craig Howell
Officials on both sides of the Ohio River are monitoring its level, watching for signs of flooding while contending with smaller overflows from area creeks.
The flood stage, or level at which the river is sufficient to result in flooding, for New Cumberland, Steubenville and Wellsburg is 36 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
On Tuesday, the National Weather Service predicted the river will rise between 1 foot and 2 feet in the three areas.
Matt Brudy, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Moon Township, Pa., office, said late Tuesday those projections appeared accurate based on the continued rainfall anticipated during the next two days and conveyance of groundwater to the river from previous days of rain.
“Basically, all of our rivers north of Wheeling will be getting into mild flooding while south of Wheeling will be getting moderate flooding,” said Brudy.
He said the good news is less precipitation is expected for the weekend, though area residents will see lower temperatures.
The National Weather Service is predicting a mix of rain and snow on Thursday and Friday, though little or no accumulation is expected, followed by partly sunny skies and a high near 50 degrees on Saturday.
Jeff Luck, deputy director of the Brooke County Emergency Management Agency, noted the Ohio River is expected on Thursday afternoon to crest at about 38 feet, about a foot above flood stage.
“I think it’s going to be pretty close to the level of Main Street,” said Luck, referring to an area of Wellsburg that overlooks the river.
Luck said the agency also is monitoring local creeks, some of which are swollen or have slightly exceeded their banks, with Buffalo Creek of particular concern.
“Most of our flooding issues are in the Bethany area,” Luck said Tuesday.
He said high water led to the closings of state Route 67 at Camp Run Road, Castleman Run Road and Pierce Run Road.
John Parker, co-director of the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, said flooding from creeks and streams in the Rayland area and heavy rain accumulation in other areas resulted in a number of roads being closed because of high water on Tuesday.
While many of them had been reopened, Parker noted that could change with continued precipitation.
Affected roads included the intersection of township Road 265 and state Route 164 near Amsterdam, township Roads 166 and 199 in Bloomingdale and county Roads 8, 14 and 49.
Parker urged drivers to use caution, proceeding at slower speeds when possible because it can be difficult to see high water on roadways.
“And whatever you do, don’t drive through it,” he said, noting it’s easy to lose control of a vehicle under such conditions.
Hancock County Sheriff Scott Gittings agreed, noting high water can cover a section of road that has been washed out.
“You don’t know how bad it may be ahead,” he said.
Gittings said Gas Valley Road near Tomlinson Run State Park and roads in the Kings Creek and Hardin Run areas were closed temporarily early Tuesday because of high water and debris, while small mud slides covered part of state Route 2 between Chester and Newell.
Parker noted there have been predictions that some areas would experience high winds, which can blow utility lines and large tree limbs into roadways.
Officials with American Electric Power Ohio have advised residents not to attempt to remove debris and leaves within 10 feet of a utility line because they could be covering downed wires.


