|
|
|
Floodwall was Maysville's Shield in 1997
|
By MISTY MAYNARD Staff Writer
|
When looking back at the 1997 flood, Maysville City Manager Ray Young -- then the director of public works for the city -- said what most stands out to him is the difference between Maysville and Aberdeen, Ohio's condition.
"We were fortunate," Young said. "We really did dodge a bullet."
The floodwall proved to be the armor which deflected the bullet, protecting Maysville residents and business owners from the high waters of the Ohio River.
In Aberdeen, Young said, many people were "devastated" by the rising waters. However, Young recalled a piece by Good Morning America when reporters interviewed local people, and how they all seemed to be more concerned with the afternoon
ball game than the flood.
"Everyone was sympathetic," Young said, but the flood did not affect them directly.
 |
| Maysville Department of Public Works Jim Fryman explains how the pump station at Limestone Landing works.
Terry Prather/Staff
|
The rising flood waters did have some economic impact on the city, Young said. He estimated it cost the city about $1,000 per hour to run the flood pumps, which the city ran for 60 to 70 hours. In all, Young estimated the city spent close to $100,000 to protect citizens.
"It was well worth it," he said.
There were incidents in Maysville including mud slides, as well as a 12-hour period when some residents were without gas or electricity.
"We had to evacuate homes because we didn't know how stable the hillside was," Young said about the mud slides. "All in all our (problems) were very minor."
Young said a number of rumors flew around town. He received a call at 4 a.m. one day after someone called the dispatcher to report water going over the Greenup Dam.
Young also said there were rumors the water was going to go over the floodwall, though it actually did not even reach the point of the 1937 flood, which inspired Maysville and the Army Corps of Engineers to build the floodwall for the city's protection.
"I think it really just proves the value of the floodwall," Young said about the flooding and Maysville's lack of significant problems.
Out in the county several homes were flooded due to rising creek water or, as in Dover's case, the drains not being able to handle the rain water.
The water did get into some homes, though the extent of the damage was minor compared to other locations, such as Aberdeen.
People who lived closer to the river, then-mayor Jack Eder said, were evacuated in case they should be affected by the rising water.
"That was our main concern," he said.
Mason County Judge-Executive James "Buddy" Gallenstein said during the 1997 flood several homes were also flooded in other locations in the county.
Gallenstein said in Murphysville the dead limbs and trees in the creek created a sort of self-made dam, causing creek water to back up and damage homes.
In addition, the flood cost Mason County "upwards of a couple hundred thousand" dollars between repairing roadwork, culverts and bridges.
"The '97 flood was a pretty expensive deal for Mason County," Gallenstein said, adding some of the effects of the flooding are still evident today.
Contact Misty Maynard at 606-564-9091, ext. 274.
The rain began on Friday, Feb. 28, 1997 and before it ended, 12 inches had fallen over the area in 24-36 hours. By Saturday, it became apparent that a disaster was in the making. The community of Milford in Bracken County was swallowed by the North Fork of the Licking River, the Licking River ran roughshod over parts of Robertson County and communities along the Ohio River -- Maysville, Augusta, Dover, Vanceburg, Manchester, Aberdeen and Ripley -- were facing what would be their greatest challenge from Mother Nature in many years. By the time the rivers crested, hundreds of area residents would be driven from their homes by rising flood waters and some would lose more than property, they would lose their lives in the Ohio River flood of 1997. Over the next few days, we'll take a look back at what happened, if it could happen again and if we are better prepared than we were 10 years ago. |
|
|
Reader Comments
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.
Add your own comments:
|
|
|
Jobs
Homes
Cars
Print Ads
