THIS IS AN EXERCISE

Marion County Submerged: Rural Roads Disappear as Floodwaters Grip Region After Weeks of Rain

MARION, OH – June 8, 2025 – While much of Central Ohio grapples with the aftermath of a week-long deluge culminating in a severe summer storm on June 6th and 7th, Marion County finds itself particularly vulnerable, with expansive rural areas now submerged under feet of water. The relentless rainfall has transformed familiar landscapes, closing vital transportation arteries and isolating many residents.

For the past seven days, Marion County, like its neighbors, has endured persistent, heavy rainfall. The ground, already saturated from an unseasonably wet spring, had no capacity to absorb the additional downpours. The tipping point arrived with the intense storm system that swept through Friday and Saturday, unleashing a torrent that pushed local waterways – including the Scioto River and numerous smaller creeks and ditches – well beyond their banks.

The impact on Marion County, known for its agricultural heartland and interconnected network of rural roads, has been immediate and severe. Numerous township roads have completely disappeared under the muddy deluge, making travel treacherous if not impossible. Farmers are reporting significant crop damage, with fields resembling lakes, and concerns are growing for livestock that may have been caught in the rising waters.

"We haven't seen anything like this in years, not this widespread," commented Harold Jenkins, a lifelong resident near Green Camp, pointing to a field where only the tops of cornstalks were visible. "The ditches are flowing like rivers, and the roads are just gone."

The Marion County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is working closely with the Marion County Sheriff's Office and local fire departments to respond to calls for assistance. High-water rescue teams have been deployed to check on isolated homes, particularly in areas where residents may be cut off due to impassable roads. Shelters are being prepared as a precautionary measure, though initial assessments suggest many residents are sheltering in place on higher ground.

Power outages have been sporadic but significant in some rural pockets, further complicating communication and access. Authorities are urging all residents to avoid driving through standing water, emphasizing the hidden dangers of washed-out culverts and undermined roadbeds. The Marion City Police Department is also actively monitoring urban areas for localized street flooding and basement inundation.

As the skies begin to clear, the focus for Marion County shifts from immediate response to assessing the full extent of the damage. The receding waters will reveal the true cost of this protracted weather event, but for now, the priority remains the safety and well-being of its water-besieged residents.

THIS IS AN EXERCISE