When it rains, it pours – and every so often, it overflows.

Sunday, May 20, 2001

When it rains, it pours – and every so often, it overflows.

A few highways in the county were closed and several roads were filled with standing water Friday and Saturday due to flash flooding caused by rainfall Thursday evening, Friday and Saturday.

On Saturday, state highway crews had closed parts of State Route 218 near the Lawrence-Gallia county line; State Route 217 in Linnville; State Route 378 between mile post 1 and 2; State Route 522 between mile post 3 and 4; State Route 650 between mile post 9 and 9.3; and State Route 141 at Aid and at Arabia.

County Commissioner Paul Herrell, who lives along State Route 141 in Aid, said water was over the highway in front of his home, but drivers were passing through the flooded roadway. He said the water was not as high as the 1997 flood that hit the area, but added, people he had spoke to said flood waters only lack one foot of being at the 1997 flood mark.

County roads have also been affected by the flooding. According to information from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, county roads 181, 37 and 36 were closed as of Saturday.

Flash flood watches from the National Weather Service were in effect until noon on Saturday with rain continuing throughout the day and night.

In a telephone interview Saturday afternoon, WOWK-13 News meteorologist Jody Chevalier, said the bulk of the heavy rains have left the Tri-State area. He said localized rain would still exist through Saturday night, but Sunday would mark a drying out period. He added that the rivers would start cresting throughout the weekend and most of the rivers would top out below or near flood stage.

Chevalier said there will be a few days for the area to dry out before the next storm system moves into the area, which is expected to be Monday night or Tuesday. He said meteorologist are analyzing the next weather system and it is too early to predict what the next system will bring.