photo by: Shelley Hanson

Riverfront Park and Marina in Moundsville is shown flooded by Ohio River water on Thursday.

The city of Moundsville has declared a state of emergency in an effort to warn people of the Ohio River and creek flooding and in preparation for possible disaster funding, if necessary.

“It was a notification to let everyone know there is imminent flooding in the area, that the river is rising and we know when and where it will crest,” Moundsville City Manager Rick Healy said. “Secondly, from a paperwork standpoint, for potential federal funding from FEMA, that may make it easier for us to become eligible in the city.”

The state of emergency will remain in place until the city lifts it. Healy was glad to learn the initial crest prediction of 42.9 feet had been dropped to 41.9 feet by the National Weather Service on Thursday. Flood stage in Moundsville is 37 feet. Flood water was expected to begin receding late Thursday.

Regarding areas impacted by flooding, Healy said the riverfront park and marina are flooded, along with the parking area there. He anticipates the river flood water will reach the railroad tracks in that area. The city also owns an RV park along the riverfront area that is flooded.

The backup of creeks and streams also caused flooding of a privately-owned RV park off 12th Street; several RVs could be seen Thursday stranded in the high water.

High water from creeks backing up also flooded baseball/softball and soccer fields along 12th Street. A few trailer homes also appeared close to taking in water along 12th Street on Thursday afternoon.

Roads and areas closed by the Moundsville City Fire Department included the entire riverfront area west of the railroad tracks from 10th to 16th Streets; Ruby Street; Diamond Street; Garfield Avenue from 12th to Ruby Streets; Kudlak’s Campgrounds; the Marshall County Fairgrounds; Valley Fork Park; and Girls Softball Complex.

Healy said there were a few households that had to be notified Wednesday that their properties would likely be flooded.

“We went around and hand delivered notices to all those areas … and requested they evacuate their areas,” he said.

Healy said the fire department was keeping an eye on the business plaza where Busy Beaver is located for potential flooding due to creek backup.

“The fire department is close to shutting down the plaza lot at the south end by the mattress store,” he said.

On Thursday afternoon two areas of that plaza parking lot were flooded. It appeared most of the businesses were still open and operating.

Healy noted this same creek that runs along a wooded area by Monarch Stadium, which was flooded with several feet of water by Thursday afternoon.

Healy said the Prima Marina eatery that sits along the riverfront also is flooded.

“Its elevation is so low that it doesn’t take much to get them flooded,” he said.

Healy said the city would likely start its cleanup efforts on Monday after the water has fully receded. The city will have to clean up the riverfront park, marina and parking lot. Streets that were flooded also will need to be cleaned.

Healy said residents who need emergency help should call 911. For non-emergency help residents can call the non-emergency phone numbers for assistance.

Tom Hart, director of the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency, said there are still several roads across the county closed due to mudslides, rockslides and water. However, he noted flooding in Benwood and Moundsville is causing another problem.

“Right now one of the biggest problems … is sightseers. Everybody’s coming down to see what’s going on and they’re causing more problems than they are good,” Hart said. “The sightseers need to stay away because they’re causing traffic issues and more work for the public works crews and the public safety folks.”