McCoy: More rains, flooding a possibility

Van Wert independent/EMA information

With more rains predicted for Van Wert County in the near future – and the threat of additional flooding that would accompany more rain – County EMA Director Rick McCoy said he is watching forecasts very closely to see what lies ahead, and how it could affect the county.

“There is currently no end in sight with this active weather pattern, and the possible flooding potential remains very high,” McCoy said in a news release sent out Thursday.

The EMA director said the area received up to 2½ inches of rain in the southern part of the county from the storm that occurred Sunday night and Monday, with even higher rainfall amounts in Auglaize and Mercer counties. The rain, as well as substantial amounts of melting snow, sent the St. Marys and Auglaize rivers into flood stage, causing flooding to roadways – as well as many basements – within the county.

“My concern now is the next heavy rain event this weekend, which has the potential of dumping another 1-2 inches of rain across our area,” McCoy said.

National Weather Service forecasts are calling for a new storm system to move into the area today and continue into Saturday. Heavy rain is very likely, with computer models again projecting the heaviest amounts over this area.

McCoy said the expected rain could push the St. Marys River, which crested at 22.4 feet on Thursday from the last storm, to a crest exceeding 24 feet in Willshire. The EMA director said the water across Ohio 49 going into Willshire is about 4 feet deep at the present time, while Ohio 81 and U.S. 33 are also closed due to high water, in addition to a number of township and county roads.

With more rain forecast, McCoy said he asked Willshire village officials to begin sandbagging around several local businesses in anticipation that more flooding could occur. Inmates from the Van Wert County Correctional Facility helped with sandbagging on Wednesday and Thursday, he added.

The current pattern of storm following storm is the result of a strong La Niña pattern that remains in place in the Pacific Ocean and is maintaining what is known as the “Pineapple Express,” a weather pattern that comes through the Hawaiian islands and into the West Coast of the U.S. and includes new storm systems every 3-4 days.

After this weekend’s storm, which will include heavy rain and is expected to end with some snowfall, the next storm system moving into the area on Wednesday could be a strong one as well, with more potential for severe weather. Another storm will follow next weekend.

“I expect a very active spring, with strong thunderstorms and possible flooding events,” McCoy said. “We concentrate mostly on severe weather preparedness, but the public needs to recognize that flooding is a big killer in the U.S. and people need to abide by the National Weather Service slogan: ‘Turn Around, Don’t Drown’ (see story below).”

McCoy noted that the county had a “close call” Wednesday evening when an Indiana woman nearly drowned when her vehicle stalled while she was trying to negotiate high water on a closed road near Willshire.

“Because of detours around Willshire, she had driven down Harner Road east of Willshire and apparently decided to drive through the high water across the roadway,” the EMA director explained, adding that the car the woman was driving was swept off the road and into the middle of an adjacent field.

McCoy said it was fortunate that a passerby saw what happened and called 9-1-1 to report the situation. When Willshire firefighters arrived and saw the car with water up to its doors, they radioed the Wren EMS Squad and the Decatur (Ind.) Fire Department dive team for assistance.

“When the rescue boat made it to the car, they found the woman completely submerged in water, with the exception of her head,” McCoy said, adding that the victim was unresponsive and suffering from hypothermia (low body temperature) after being in the frigid waters for more than an hour. She was taken to Van Wert County Hospital for treatment and is recovering.

“Because of quick actions by the 9-1-1 caller and the local fire, EMS and dive team personnel, this life was saved,” McCoy noted.

The best way to avoid problems, however, is to stay clear of high water and abide by the closed road signs, the EMA director stressed, noting that the next situation may not end as well.