Helpers rally to clean up flood debris

Volunteers pitched in to help schools, neighbors and even sports foes after significant flooding in Wayne and surrounding counties that damaged roads and delayed events.

Throughout the April 4-6 weekend, widespread rainfall totaled more than 6 inches over a three- to four-day period, according to Matthew Cain, director of Wayne County Emergency Communications and Emergency Management.

Some areas received even higher localized amounts, which contributed to flash flooding, field washoffs and rising water levels in low-lying areas, Cain said.

Sports, recreation facilities and equipment damage

Hagerstown Jr.-Sr. High School baseball coach Jay Hale and parent Josh Troutwine were photographed navigating waist-high water trying to save their outfield fence in a low area along Indiana 38. 

At their April 9 meeting, Nettle Creek school board members thanked athletes, parents, coaches, school staff and residents for tackling the extensive cleanup.

Superintendent Emily Schaeffer said the school’s baseball dugouts, storage area and press box were flooded, along with the track and throwing space that became covered with thick mud. The concession stand and locker room were spared.

A lot of baseball clothing was cleaned and salvaged and game balls were OK, but buckets of practice baseballs were ruined.

Officials eventually found four pumps in a 90-mile radius to start removing water. Piles of cornstalks were pushed outside of the baseball diamond. 

Nettle Creek is focused on getting in-season facilities cleaned and reopened, Schaeffer said, so storage areas with football gear haven’t yet been opened for assessment.

The cost for all the ruined equipment isn’t yet known. Schaeffer said Nettle Creek might absorb those costs rather than risk increasing their already high insurance premiums. 

Hagerstown was just one of the groups stepping forward to help.

Lincoln High School’s boys golf team helped clean Winchester Golf Club after rain washed up corn stalks on the home course of a Tri-Eastern Conference opponent.

Cambridge City had high water of its own. Town officials rescheduled the grand opening of Creitz Park’s renovated playground from April 6 until 5 p.m. Thursday, April 17. Many nearby tree bases couldn’t be seen because of the park’s deep water.

Creitz Park volunteers also had to twice reschedule their gathering to pick up sticks and trash until Saturday, April 12, because of wet conditions.

Cain said it’s been some time since Wayne County experienced this level of rainfall in such a short period, which serves as a reminder of the risks associated with rising water.

Whitewater River’s east fork, measured at the Abington gauge, crested at 15.28 feet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 5. That placed the river in the “Minor Flooding” category, which begins at 14 feet.

Water rescues

In one early Saturday incident, Abington Volunteer Fire Department responded into Union County for a water rescue of a pickup truck driver along the 5800 block of Abington Road.

Later that morning, Richmond Fire Department assisted in evacuating five residents from homes in the 1200 block of Chester Boulevard near Whitewater River’s East Fork. Firefighters used a drone to find a pathway to safety that necessitated walking through only ankle-deep water.

Residents living near rivers and streams should always have a plan in place in case evacuation becomes necessary. Even minor flooding can have major impacts at the local level, Cain said.

Cain said those actions demonstrate local first responders’ swift coordination and readiness during rapidly evolving conditions.

The roadway across the bridge on Waterfall Road sustained significant damage and was temporarily closed. Mike Sharp, the county’s highway superintendent, told county commissioners that debris was cleared from the bridge and the roadway patched April 7 so it could reopen.

In better weather, hot-mix asphalt will be applied for a better surface. The entire bridge is scheduled for replacement next year.

Sharp said that 10 other county roads that were closed by flooding all reopened April 6.

Motorists should never attempt to drive through flooded roadways, Cain said, because the roadway’s integrity beneath the water might be compromised or washed out entirely. He noted National Weather Service’s warning, “turn around, don’t drown,” because it only takes 12 to 18 inches of water to carry away most vehicles — including SUVs and trucks.

The county is fortunate that this wasn’t a more severe flood event, Cain said, but the rainfall still caused temporary closures of numerous roads.

“The flooded areas and roadways were consistent with areas historically prone to high water, so there were few surprises in terms of impacted locations,” Cain said.

He expressed gratitude for municipal street departments and county highway department crews who worked around the clock to place signage and barricades, helping warn motorists and keep people safe.

Cain said spring often brings an uptick in severe weather and rain events, so residents are encouraged to stay informed through reliable sources, have emergency kits and plans ready, and report any hazardous conditions to local authorities.