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We knew it was coming based on the amount of rain our area has been receiving lately, but that didn't make it any easier when the Ohio River came up over its shores late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.
Many of us are used to seeing flooding in the region. Building so many communities along the Ohio River, it was the lifeblood of the valley in its earliest days, providing some of the fastest transportation in the days before railroads and highways. It has its disadvantages, though, as shown most springs when the heavier rains hit bringing torrents of water rushing from the higher elevations into our creeks and streams and, eventually, the Ohio River itself.
Many of our more southerly communities were hit first this year, with residents in the Wheeling area keeping an eye on the water levels as early as Monday.
According to information provided through the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, flood stage for many areas along the river is set at 36 feet. It reached that level just before 8 p.m. Wednesday at the New Cumberland Locks and Dam, and a bit before 9 p.m. in Wellsburg.
New Cumberland was recorded to have moderate flooding, around 38 feet at the river, by 11 a.m. Thursday, reaching its crest of around 40 feet at about 1 p.m. Thursday. While I'm writing this Friday morning, it already has gone back below flood stage.
The water reached around 40 feet Thursday morning in Wellsburg, with water pushing into many of the city's downtown streets.
As part of our coverage, I decided to drive up to New Cumberland, and, outside of the gentleman who yelled an obscenity at me about the road being closed, it was an eery quiet. I parked at the library and walked around for a bit, taking pictures of some of the flooded yards and New Cumberland City Park. I couldn't tell you how many times we've published photos of that park being flooded in my 22-plus years at this newspaper, but it's still a strange thing to see. Almost every piece of playground equipment and park feature was under water while I was there. Keep that in mind when the West Virginia Department of Highways begins its realignment of Route 2.
Emergency services were set up both at their stations and at the library to make certain there could be response to every bit of the city if needed. Those services came in handy at least once when someone still attempted to drive through the high water and got stuck.
I didn't make it to Wellsburg myself, but from the photos and videos I've seen from colleagues and residents alike, it was probably among some of the hardest hit in our immediate area. A state of emergency was declared there, with officials asking non-residents to stay away. Chester also experienced problems, with the park and some other lower areas taking on heavy water.
I expected the high waters. I expected to see damage. There's something else I expected, though, and I wasn't disappointed. Through all the flooding and chaos, there were people. People reaching out and helping their neighbors as they navigated the flooded waters and began the cleanup efforts in their communities.
It's one of the best things about our region. In the most difficult of times, no matter the circumstances, our people come together to help each other.
There is still much work ahead for our area as the river levels recede and residents get a better idea of how much damage has been done, but I know our communities will get through it the same way they always do - by working together and embracing the true spirit of what it means to be a neighbor.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)