[ back ]
Homes, roads take heavy hits in storm
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - June 04, 2010)
Homes, roads take heavy hits in storm
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chester Township officials and residents were bailing out this week from a flash flood that struck when an estimated 4.5 inches of rain fell within an hour on Memorial Day.
Chester Trustee Judy Caputo said township officials were meeting Tuesday following the storm that hit hard in the southern sections of the township around 12:30 p.m. Monday.
Mrs. Caputo said she began to realize it was no ordinary rainfall when her pool and fish pond began to overflow at her home on Lynn Drive. Eventually, she said, 4 inches of water was at her back sliding door. Then, she said, water began shooting from her recessed lighting fixtures in the basement.
But Mrs. Caputo said her experience was mild compared to what some residents in the township were going through.
She said two homes on Mayfield Road (Route 322) had 3 to 4 feet of water come through their back doors and out their front doors. Similar incidents were reported at homes on Cedar Road, she said.
"Overall, it seems that Chester and Russell got the worst of it," she said.
Mrs. Caputo said Road Superintendent Chuck Mascella reported that 50 percent of all township roads experienced some type of damage during the storm that lasted about an hour. He reported that 4.5 inches of rain fell during that time.
Cedar Road, between Marilyn and Chillicothe (Route 306) roads, in particular, experienced significant damage with a 48-inch culvert pipe brought to a standing position from the force of the water, she said. People reported seeing 6 feet of water on Marilyn Road after the storm.
Residents everywhere, from Cherry Lane to Vincent Drive to Opalacka Road, had flooding.
West Geauga Commons had playing fields under water. Mrs. Caputo said a lake spread out across ball diamond No. 3 with only the top of the fencing visible.
She said she also witnessed the good that comes after such emergencies. Residents were out helping an elderly neighbor on Marilyn Road clean up his property, she said. "I want to commend those residents for helping their neighbors in a time of need."
She said the Red Cross also was out Monday to help those in need.
On Tuesday morning, township officials met with Dale Wedge and his staff from the Geauga County Department of Emergency Services.
Mrs. Caputo said damage estimates are just beginning to be tallied, but, if they reach the threshold of $300,000, the township may be able to recoup up to 75 percent of its costs through federal aid.
She said the township expects to need at least another 200 tons of limestone just to make some road repairs.
She said the township is working with United Way to help the elderly clean up their homes, and hopes are that cleanup kits will be delivered to the township to help with that task.
Mrs. Caputo said those who feel overwhelmed by the flooding and debris left behind can call Geauga 211 to get in touch with people who can help.
Mrs. Caputo, who has lived in the township for 18 years, said she cannot remember a similar storm in the past. She said about 10 years ago the township experienced high winds that knocked down power lines and left many residents without power for a week.
This time, she said, residents can be thankful that the power remained on, enabling them to begin cleaning up from this storm.
[ back ]
