Here we go again!

Well, it looks like we are in for another 100 year flood 3 years after the last 100 year flood in 2005!

The story for this blog actually starts just over three years ago during Christmas of 2004 and continued into January of 2005. Ohio had received large amounts of snow, rain and ice over a short period of time followed by a fast and furious melt which then led to major flooding along the Tuscarawas River in parts of Southern Stark and Northern Tuscarawas Counties located in east central Ohio. This flooding led to many areas of each county, along with other areas in the region, being virtually cut off due to high waters. The Wilkshire Hills and Zoar areas located in Northern Tuscarawas County became an island with no dry access to anywhere else outside of boat or helicopter. At that time, my wife and family lived outside of the flood zone and had access to the freeway easily. After a couple weeks and a whole month without school for the kids, the waters receded and life got back to normal in the area. This was deemed a "100 year event". Now, fast-forward 3 years and 2 months and we are in for it again. But this time, we now live in the area that was deemed "The Island".
The weather pattern has been slightly different for this event. Instead of a lot of weather in a short period of time we have seen a lot of weather stretched out over a longer period of time. Heavy rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow has blanketed the region over the past several weeks leading to saturated ground and swollen rivers. The straw that has finally broken the rivers back this time was a state wide blizzard with about 2 feet of snow that fell over a 36 hour period a week ago. That, followed by heavy rains and warm temperatures, has finally sent the Tuscarawas River over her banks once again and also over the major transportation arteries of the area. Namely St. Rt 212 just south of Zoar near the Tusky Valley middle and high schools. (As pictured above). Late this morning just before noon, the water had just reached the roadway. But by 4 PM, several inches of water have already covered the road. With the forecast calling for more heavy rain Tuesday and Wednesday this week and a possible larger storm over Easter. The outlook is not looking good at all.
But, at least I'll have something to write about on this blog. Stay tuned for more update from inside The Island. Because if this place gets cut off again, it's not like I can afford going somewhere to ride it out, we're staying put ;-)