Written by WCPO’s Molly Schramm and Alex Null
Mason Taylor, from Butler, said his family is prepared for what could be historic flooding this weekend.
“This is something we’ve grown accustomed to, unfortunately,” Taylor said.
Taylor said his biggest concern is making sure his residents are safe.
“We will be at some point an island,” Taylor said.
Taylor’s comments come as residents in Falmouth and Butler, in Pendleton County, were put under a mandatory evacuation due to high flood waters. The reason for the evacuation, officials said, was that if an emergency happened and someone needed police or fire services, they may not be able to get to them. Also, utilities may be shut off.
Pendleton County Emergency Management announced shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday that the evacuations were effective immediately.
“(Falmouth) residents are being given until 8:00 PM tonight April 5th to leave town,” the county EMA wrote on Facebook. “After 8:00 PM the utility services are not guaranteed.”
While officials originally gave the 8 p.m. timeframe, Pendleton County EMA said several streets in Falmouth would have their gas turned off starting at 4 p.m.
Officials said that at some point Saturday evening, access to Falmouth would be limited.
WCPO 9 came across neighbors in Falmouth helping a woman move her belongings out of her home.
“Most of the people here doesn’t know the homeowner, they just seen us back up here with the trailer and they just stop and say ‘can we help’ and they just come in and start helping,” said Gary Galloway, who was among the group helping.
Down the road on Shelby Street, members of Harvest Community Church have been evacuating for days.
“We came in and evacuated our church last night,” said Shawn Morton, a member of the church. “We emptied everything.”
Morton said the church’s basement is already flooded, and they expect it to worsen.
Falmouth sits along the Licking River, which is expected to hit 41.50 feet by Sunday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The NOAA describes this flood stage as a “Major.”
“If you think your house is safe from water, you may not have utilities and rescue emergency responders may not get to you,” the county EMA wrote.
In Butler, which sits further north along the Licking River, residents were given until 4 p.m. Saturday to leave town. After 4 p.m., utility services are not guaranteed, and access to the city will be limited.
Anyone in Falmouth or Butler who needs their utilities shut off can contact 859-654-6540.