NEW RICHMOND, Ohio -- Thirty to 50 percent of the village was underwater Sunday, according to Village Administrator Greg Roberts.
Thankfully, no one was forced to evacuate, and no serious injuries have been reported.
High water brings back memories of the 1997 flood, when the river rose to 64.7 feet and floodwaters swallowed 95 percent of the village. The river is expected to crest at 60.7 feet by Sunday evening.
Residents Mary Allen and Betsy Mitchell surveyed the damage Sunday and knew things could have been much worse.
“It did come up pretty fast,” Allen said. “I was out last night walking around and it was probably a half-a-block away and as you can see it's right up here around Western Avenue.”
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- FROM THE VAULT: Flood of 1997 was disastrous, deadly
Mitchell said flooding is just a part of living on the river, and she said she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We have so many days when the river is absolutely gorgeous, and the town is a walkable community and everybody has a good time,” Mitchell said. “So, we just put up with this.”
The American Red Cross opened a shelter at New Richmond High School for those who have to leave their homes.
Clermont County—A Red Cross Shelter will open Saturday, Feb. 24 by 4:00 P.M. at New Richmond High School. 1131 Bethel-New Richmond Rd, New Richmond, Ohio.
— Cincinnati Red Cross (@CincyRedCross) February 23, 2018
Village officials have established a command post at New Richmond Middle School to monitor developments.
