Fire crews to gather to erect flood wall [Columbiana County, OH]

[yfdgricker]

Fire crews to gather to erect flood wall
Story by JO ANN BOBBY-GILBERT/Staff Writer on 6/27/2009.

WELLSVILLE - Although more well-known lately for the colorful murals gracing its length, the flood wall that surrounds the village still stands ready to protect residents from raging flood waters, and this weekend firefighters from around the area will practice erecting the main gate.

Fire Chief William Smith has invited elected officials to witness the training, which will begin at 10 a.m. today. Thus far, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown has confirmed a representative will be in attendance, and representatives from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers will be on hand.

Village firefighters as well as those from Highlandtown, Toronto other departments will actually start much earlier, getting a briefing on what to expect and taking out the materials that have been stored since the last time the gate was erected two years ago.

Smith said it requires about 90 minutes for firefighters to place the huge timbers and tarps that hold flood waters at bay and said activity can be seen from both sides of the gate, although once it is erected, the "finished product" will actually be best seen from the state Route 45 side.

He emphasized that no one will be allowed to park on the state Route 7 overpass to watch the training exercise. Once the gate is up, traffic cannot enter town except by state Route 7.

The flood wall was built after a devastating flood in the 1930s and includes not only the main gate but several smaller "railroad" gates and pump stations. The railroad gates will not be erected today.

The system is governed by the Corp of Engineers, although maintenance and erection is the village's responsibility. Currently, it is in need of repairs, with Smith recently having contacted Brown's office in regard to possible funding.

jgilbert@mojonews.com