Marietta preparing for high water, again
UPDATE: Downtown Marietta streets that were closed today were to be reopened at 5 p.m. in support of downtown restaurants.
City officials said they want to thank the downtown community and others for “their patience and flexibility today in an effort to protect our volunteers, mostly students, and our downtown employees with trucks and trailers as they shifted their inventory into storage and higher ground.”
According to the National Weather Service, the Ohio River level is 32.59 feet as of last recording at 4 p.m.
City officials said they want to thank the downtown community and others for “their patience and flexibility today in an effort to protect our volunteers, mostly students, and our downtown employees with trucks and trailers as they shifted their inventory into storage and higher ground.”
According to the National Weather Service, the Ohio River level is 32.59 feet as of last recording at 4 p.m.
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The Washington County Sheriff’s Office released an emergency weather release at 11:13 a.m. stating the following:
County and city officials have been receiving reports of a discrepancy with water levels and various benchmarks of previous flooding.
County and city officials have been investigating the discrepancies and have been working with the U.S. Geological Survey which owns and operates the river gauge.
It has been determined the river gauge is reading approximately 2.6 feet lower than actual river level. The USGS has dispatched personnel to address the malfunctioning gauge. It is expected the gauge will be operational sometime on (Friday).
The actual river level will be posted on the City of Marietta’s website (www.mariettaoh.net) , Marietta Facebook page, Washington County Sheriff’s office Facebook, and Washington County EMA’s Facebook .
Safety-Service Director Jonathan Hupp said following the release the city police department will dispatch an officer every hour to update the city website via a stick monitor and photographs until the National Weather Service computer data is reading correctly again.
“Residents and merchants need to be paying attention to their number and look out for your neighbor,” he said. “If you know somebody who lives down on the river go see if they need help.”
Aside from business owners and employees and volunteers, all others are asked to avoid the downtown area.
” The City of Marietta has CLOSED downtown in preparation of the coming flood. Front, Second, Greene, and Butler in the business district are included,” said IT Manager for Safety Services Amy Tucker Friday morning. “Merchants, friends, family, and tons of Marietta students are out volunteering. If you don’t have a reason to be downtown, please don’t be a hindrance to the work going on. Respect the “Road Closed” signs. Ignoring traffic control devices is an offense and can get you a citation. (Marietta Ordinance 313.01) The community participation is overwhelming and we are so proud and grateful. If you need help – please ask. Many businesses are offering storage as well. Marietta Main Street is coordinating volunteer efforts. Use alternate routes and again – If you don’t need to be out, please stay home. Traffic will again be horrible. Be safe Marietta.”
Additional flood related announcements:
¯ Memorial Health System and Grande Pointe are providing sandwich wraps for volunteers at the Armory, 241 Front St., at noon Friday.
¯ Memorial Health System’s Wayne Street campus will be closed from noon today through at least end of business Monday.
¯ The GoBus bus stop normally at the Armory has been moved to the Kmart parking lot today, Saturday and Sunday.
The Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce has also provided information on available higher ground storage for local businesses:
– Broughton Commercial Properties has offered their buildings and lots for any business affected by the flood. Store goods, including frozen and dry goods, as well as any other items from businesses. They have a large freezer room but no refrigerated areas. If you do utilize them they ask that you mark your items with your business name or own name before you take them over.
They also have space for parking if anyone needs to find a space to park trucks and trailers. If interested please call Debbie at 740-374-9396 between now and 4:30 pm. If you need assistance after hours you are also able to get a hold of Debbie on her cell phone at 740-516-6959. They do ask that you call ahead in order for them to get space ready for you.
– ARC Resin Corporation has also offered space for parking and warehouses for storage. Call Jenny Becker at 740-374-3742 or 740-350-7925.
The following streets in Marietta are also experiencing high water:
¯ N. Hart between Buckeye & Pike St.
¯ Hart between Pike, South 7th, & Charles
¯ R Lane Pike St in front of Qdoba
¯ Gilman Avenue 900 block, R lane or SB