Federal funding should help repair damaged roads

MUSKINGUM COUNTY – This summer has been filled with severe weather from torrential downpours, long periods of rain, even tornadoes.

Governor Mike DeWine recently declared 63 of Ohio’s 88 counties in a state of emergency. Muskingum County Emergency Management Agency Director, Jeff Jadwin said the heavy rains over a long period of time caused heavy flooding throughout a lot of the state. The money received will go into fixing federal paid highways throughout the state.

“Governor DeWine has declared an emergency in 63 of the 88 counties for the flooding that was taking place since early June. The proclamation takes affect, the damages to the road way after June 18th. The big issue here is that it is for roadways that are federally funded,” said Jadwin.

The counties and surrounding counties have a number of roads that are considered local roads. Jadwin said the E.M.A is getting clarification with the state, but believes federally funded roads are the only roads that can be repaired with the funds. The map shows that black roads are local roads, while the colored roads are federally funded.

“The roads have slipped, or where culverts have washed out or pavements washed away. So, it will be for rain type injuries to the roadway. So, where soft spots develop and they have to keep putting patches into it that will allow them to I assume make those repairs to make it a permanent repair, not a temporary fix to the problem,” added Jadwin.

Jadwin said the most important message he can say is if you see flood water, turn around don’t drown. As around the state, several vehicles have been washed away.