Butler County agencies evaluating storm damage as heavy rains subside

May 21--The day after the region experienced severe flooding to some residences and businesses, state and local emergency management agency directors discussed the extent of the damages.

Butler County EMA Director Matt Haverkos said state and county directors spent part of Wednesday evaluating the financial and structural damage done by the heavy rains that blew through the area Monday and Tuesday. He said agencies will inspect roads and infrastructures to ensure they're safe for motorists.

The area received up to 5 inches of rain within a short time that pushed debris into the storm drains and increased the severity of the flooding, he said.

Despite all of the flooding and evacuations made to residents in a Butler County mobile home park and more than 80 businesses in West Chester Twp., Haverkos reported no injuries.

"That's a win," he said.

He also was impressed how Butler County cities and townships and state agencies collaborated to address the flooding issue throughout the area. He said emergency personnel from Liberty and West Chester townships worked closely to handle the flooding and evacuations at Gregory Creek Mobile Home Park off Hamilton-Mason Road in Liberty Twp. and 85 West Chester Twp. businesses on Windisch Road between Crescentville and Allen Road and Allen Road between Windisch Road and River Walk.

Eleven employees at Impact Freight Services were helped out of the business by West Chester firefighters, said Chief Rick Prinz. He said the business is located on higher ground and was surrounded by water that kept employees from reaching their vehicles in the parking lot.

Haverkos said inflatable boats and dump trucks were used.

"Great teamwork," he said.

Since there was concern the flood water could reach Intertate 75, the Ohio State Highway Patrol was put on alert. If the interstate had become flooded, Haverkos said that would have created "another problem."

The Great Miami River rose nearly 10 feet in some areas, according to the Miami Conservancy District.

Between Hamilton and Dayton, the river rose between 6.5 and nearly 10 feet.

In Middletown, the area along Oxford State Road was flooded after the Dicks Creek banks overflowed. Several homes along that area were surrounded by water on Wednesday afternoon.

Scott Tadych, director of public works and utilities, heard reports the city received five inches of rain and one resident said his rain gauge measured 7 inches.

He called the flooding along Oxford State Road "as bad" as he has seen in his 20 years. He said the creek and storm drains can't handle that amount of water.

That portion of the city is considered a flood plain and if residents have federally-back mortgages, they're required to have flood insurance, Tadych said.

Rain is expected to return to the area today and Friday, then conditions are expectd to be dry and hotter Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

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