Crooksville Begins Flood Recovery

CROOKSVILLE, OH – More than a day after floodwaters swept through Crooksville, much of the water has receded. But for residents and first responders, the work that comes next is just the beginning.

Early Tuesday morning, (08/11) floodwaters rushed through Crooksville, covering roads, entering homes and businesses, and catching residents off guard. For one resident, it took only minutes for a normal morning to become anything but.

“Within five minutes, it was probably up to my ankles in water. Then I went outside and it was like waist high. The roads were all covered. It definitely came real fast, very unexpected.” Jacob Wymer, a Crooksville Resident said.

Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency in Perry and Muskingum Counties, activating 40 Ohio Army National Guard members and 20 tactical vehicles to assist with rescues and evacuations. Now, the focus has shifted from rescue to recovery.

“Today, we’re focusing on secondary searches. We’re going in and doing debris removal, checking in cars and checking in houses.” Dyrall Newlon, the Crooksville Fire Chief said.

For residents and business owners, the recovery is personal. One of the owners of Jim’s Barber Shop is dealing with flooding at both her Main Street business and her home in Roseville.

“It’s very upsetting. It’s disturbing. Like it’s really bad. It makes you just want to cry.” Roseville Resident and Jim’s Barber Shop Owner, Erica Atkinson said.

But amid the damage, neighbors are stepping up and helping one another pick up the pieces of what the water left behind.

Crooksville remains closed to non-residents as crews continue door-to-door checks.