River's Wrath Hits Again

[Petrushka]

from The Intelligencer, Wheeling WV, Thurs., 1-06-05:

River's Wrath Hits Again

Compiled by Staff



Ohio Valley residents are bracing for the second major river flood in almost five months.

Several days of unrelenting rainfall has sent creeks, streams and soon, the Ohio River, over their banks.

< snip >

The Ohio River is expected to crest more than 6 feet above flood stage in Wheeling at 7 a.m. Friday.

< snip >

While flooded and mud-covered roadways made travel nearly impossible in some areas, the situation was made even more frustrating this morning when at least 10 barges filled with coal broke loose on the Ohio River north of the Pike Island Locks and Dam.

The barges then struck the dam, sending at least four of them over the top and moving uncontrollably down the river. Another six barges remained stuck at the dam.

< snip >

Local law enforcement officials were notified and shut down the Fort Henry Bridge and Wheeling Suspension in case the barges struck the spans and caused any damage.

At least one barge eventually did strike the Fort Henry Bridge. A traffic bottleneck soon developed and many motorists were stuck along Interstate 70 and on streets leading into Wheeling.

< snip>

http://www.theintelligencer.net
================================

Note: On WTOV-TV9 (Steubenville OH) news at noon, it was reported that, of the 14 coal barges that were loose on the Ohio River, 2 had been pulled safely to shore above the dam while 12 barges continued downriver and hit the dam: 8 of them remain behind the dam where they'll stay until the river crests and subsides to normal levels; and there's a possibility that some of the 8 barges may sink due to being damaged when they hit the dam. Assessment of any damage done to the dam, itself, must also wait till the water subsides. Of the 4 barges that went through the Pike Island locks, 2 of them hit the Fort Henry Bridge in Wheeling.