Today in Wheeling History: September 17--Hurricane Ivan's remnants flood Wheeling, causing widespread damage and forcing evacuations (2004).
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan, a powerful Category 5 storm that had devastated parts of the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast, brought widespread flooding to Wheeling, West Virginia on September 17, 2004. As the storm system moved inland, it dumped heavy rainfall across the Ohio Valley region, causing the Ohio River and its tributaries, including Wheeling Creek, to swell rapidly.
Wheeling experienced severe flooding, with many roads becoming impassable. The Elm Grove section of the city was particularly hard hit, with National Road submerged under floodwaters. The flooding caused significant disruptions, including the closure of Interstate 70 through Wheeling. Numerous residents were forced to evacuate their homes, and emergency services were stretched thin responding to calls for water rescues and reports of property damage.
The city's infrastructure was severely strained, with the sewage system reaching capacity and manhole covers "blowing off" throughout Wheeling. Power outages affected thousands of residents across Ohio County. Local businesses suffered flood damage, and schools were forced to shelter students who couldn't make it home.
In the aftermath, Wheeling, along with other communities in West Virginia, received federal disaster assistance to aid in recovery efforts. The event served as a stark reminder of the potential for inland flooding from tropical systems, even in areas far from the coast.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://shorturl.at/kjZGb), Weelunk (https://shorturl.at/iigAs), Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/jTHqF)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer
The remnants of Hurricane Ivan, a powerful Category 5 storm that had devastated parts of the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast, brought widespread flooding to Wheeling, West Virginia on September 17, 2004. As the storm system moved inland, it dumped heavy rainfall across the Ohio Valley region, causing the Ohio River and its tributaries, including Wheeling Creek, to swell rapidly.
Wheeling experienced severe flooding, with many roads becoming impassable. The Elm Grove section of the city was particularly hard hit, with National Road submerged under floodwaters. The flooding caused significant disruptions, including the closure of Interstate 70 through Wheeling. Numerous residents were forced to evacuate their homes, and emergency services were stretched thin responding to calls for water rescues and reports of property damage.
The city's infrastructure was severely strained, with the sewage system reaching capacity and manhole covers "blowing off" throughout Wheeling. Power outages affected thousands of residents across Ohio County. Local businesses suffered flood damage, and schools were forced to shelter students who couldn't make it home.
In the aftermath, Wheeling, along with other communities in West Virginia, received federal disaster assistance to aid in recovery efforts. The event served as a stark reminder of the potential for inland flooding from tropical systems, even in areas far from the coast.
To learn more: Wheeling Intelligencer (https://shorturl.at/kjZGb), Weelunk (https://shorturl.at/iigAs), Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/jTHqF)
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer
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