What to do during a state of emergency, power outages, and major flooding

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Heavy rains from Monday and into Tuesday morning have led to severe flooding and power outages across the region.

As a result, Muskingum County Commissioners, Zanesville Mayor Don Mason, and Muskingum County EMA Director Jeff Jadwin have signed a proclamation declaring a state of emergency in Muskingum County. County Commissioner Drake Prouty explains the goal of the declaration.

“The crews have done a fantastic job. We want to, you know, today has been a, you know, declaration of a state of emergency. City and the county. So we want to help release those funds for those organizations and also for the state of Ohio and hopefully federal, to give us some financial assistance to Muskingum County and the city of Zanesville,” Prouty said.

Rescue operations have taken place in Crooksville, in Muskingum County, and in Perry County’s New Lexington. Jadwin says that if drivers see high water to turn around, don’t drown.

“It is dangerous out there. We’ve had rescues in our county where people’ve driven into high water and had to have, be rescued out of their vehicles,” Jadwin said. “So, you know, we’re really wanting to concentrate on ‘Turn Around Don’t Drown.’ It’s very important when you see that high water, it can be, you know, life-changing for you if you get caught. ”

In the northern end of Muskingum, a Dresden substation caught fire, leaving 1,200 meters without power, according to Jadwin. The local EMA director recommends that if you live in an affected area to check in on your friends and neighbors. Power outages like this can compromise vital equipment for those with medical devices.

“With the amount of rain that’s coming down, people that don’t have power lose sump pumps. The people that have health issues don’t have their oxygen generators or if they normally sleep with CPAP or some kind of breathing device, then they’re in hazard,” Jadwin said. “So it’s not just in the Crooksville/Roseville area, it’s the whole county right now that we’re concentrating on to keep everything going.”

Jadwin also advises people to be wary when dealing with fallen trees entangled with power lines. He says that you need to wait for the power company to say that the lines are dead and grounded to avoid risk of electrocution.

You can sign up for the Muskingum County EMA’s emergency alert system by heading to the county’s official website.