Today in Wheeling History: April 4--The Ohio River reaches 41.85 feet at Wheeling, its highest level since 2005, flooding Wheeling Island, South Wheeling, Center Wheeling, and Benwood (2024).
On April 4, 2024, the Ohio River crested at 41.85 feet at Wheeling — the 23rd-highest crest ever recorded at that location and the highest since 2004-2005 — just below the 42-foot major flood stage threshold. The rise was faster than anticipated, with Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger noting the river began climbing more quickly than expected around 6:30 a.m., prompting crews to switch from cones to police tape to block roads more efficiently.
Much of the south end of Wheeling Island was inundated, with Wheeling Island Stadium and the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack parking lot submerged. The casino closed Wednesday evening and remained shut until further notice. South Wheeling neighborhoods — particularly Chapline, 35th, 36th, and Jacob streets — were also hard hit. Center Wheeling saw high water near the Water Pollution Control facility, and Benwood experienced flooding near 48th Street. Ward 1 Council Member Rosemary Ketchum, herself facing three feet of water in her 35th Street basement, coordinated efforts to connect affected neighbors with hotels and other resources.
Emergency responders remained busy throughout the day. The Swift Water Response Team conducted multiple rescues of residents stranded in their homes, while Fire Department and Police Department crews staged across the Island. The city offered free parking in the 10th Street and Intermodal parking garages for displaced residents. Despite the hardship, neighbors across affected neighborhoods responded with remarkable solidarity, helping one another move furnaces, water heaters, washers, and dryers from flooded basements. Governor Jim Justice amended his state of emergency declaration to include Ohio County.
To learn more: City of Wheeling – April 4, 2024, Flood Information (https://tinyurl.com/99akuz9n), WV MetroNews – "Wheeling Island flooding, flood gates working in Parkersburg" (https://tinyurl.com/yc45uaud), WTRF – Updated Information on Ohio River Flooding (https://tinyurl.com/2f7498sd), The Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/3cjmvuse), Lede News – "Flooding Information for Wheeling Residents" (https://tinyurl.com/mpe8b3pt)
Photo credits: Wheeling Fire Department
On April 4, 2024, the Ohio River crested at 41.85 feet at Wheeling — the 23rd-highest crest ever recorded at that location and the highest since 2004-2005 — just below the 42-foot major flood stage threshold. The rise was faster than anticipated, with Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger noting the river began climbing more quickly than expected around 6:30 a.m., prompting crews to switch from cones to police tape to block roads more efficiently.
Much of the south end of Wheeling Island was inundated, with Wheeling Island Stadium and the Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack parking lot submerged. The casino closed Wednesday evening and remained shut until further notice. South Wheeling neighborhoods — particularly Chapline, 35th, 36th, and Jacob streets — were also hard hit. Center Wheeling saw high water near the Water Pollution Control facility, and Benwood experienced flooding near 48th Street. Ward 1 Council Member Rosemary Ketchum, herself facing three feet of water in her 35th Street basement, coordinated efforts to connect affected neighbors with hotels and other resources.
Emergency responders remained busy throughout the day. The Swift Water Response Team conducted multiple rescues of residents stranded in their homes, while Fire Department and Police Department crews staged across the Island. The city offered free parking in the 10th Street and Intermodal parking garages for displaced residents. Despite the hardship, neighbors across affected neighborhoods responded with remarkable solidarity, helping one another move furnaces, water heaters, washers, and dryers from flooded basements. Governor Jim Justice amended his state of emergency declaration to include Ohio County.
To learn more: City of Wheeling – April 4, 2024, Flood Information (https://tinyurl.com/99akuz9n), WV MetroNews – "Wheeling Island flooding, flood gates working in Parkersburg" (https://tinyurl.com/yc45uaud), WTRF – Updated Information on Ohio River Flooding (https://tinyurl.com/2f7498sd), The Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/3cjmvuse), Lede News – "Flooding Information for Wheeling Residents" (https://tinyurl.com/mpe8b3pt)
Photo credits: Wheeling Fire Department
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