Hamilton County Emergency Management warned residents across western Hamilton County, including Montgomery, Blue Ash and Sycamore Township, on Friday, Aug. 14, to stay off flooded roads as dangerous flooding from the Whitewater River pushed into the area overnight.
The agency posted a "Turn Around, Don't Drown" advisory on X, urging drivers never to cross flooded roads or drive around barricades. Evacuated residents were told to stay away until officials confirm it is safe to return.
Hamilton County EMA also issued an evacuation alert for residents living along Lawrenceburg Road and Suspension Bridge Road. The alert is not mandatory but urged people to leave immediately, take their pets and not waste time packing belongings.
Near-record crest
The flooding followed the Whitewater River's crest at 25.29 feet in Brookville, Indiana, at 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13. That is the third-highest crest on record, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. Flood stage is 14 feet; major flood stage is 19 feet. The all-time record was 39 feet on March 25, 1913.
As of early Friday, the river was receding and at or just below flood stage in southeastern Indiana and southwestern Ohio.
Water rescues before dawn
Multiple fire and EMA agencies launched boats into western Hamilton County overnight to pull residents from flooded homes, Fox 19 reported. A 68-year-old man along with his cat and dog was rescued from the 7300 block of Lawrenceburg Road around 4:30 a.m. Friday.
Harrison resident Ken Napoli was pulled barefoot from his home by boat after water rose to chest level while he slept. Napoli told Fox 19 he had seen the river rise eight or nine times in 17 years and assumed this flood would be no different.
"I fell asleep for about a half hour, and I realized my TV wasn't working, so I hit my remote. I looked down, and there was nothing but water in my house, surrounding my bed," Napoli said.
Shelter and what's next
Displaced residents who cannot stay with family or friends are directed to an emergency shelter at 505 Bielby Road in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where the American Red Cross is providing assistance.
Hamilton County EMA said an update will be posted when it is safe for evacuated residents to return. No timeline has been given.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine warned residents in western Ohio on Thursday night to stay alert for what he called "a dangerous situation" that could develop overnight, CNN reported. Lingering storms this week forced about 375 people to evacuate across the region.
This is a separate flooding emergency from the July flooding that damaged Sycamore Township and triggered more than 900 sewer backups countywide.
Hamilton County EMA directs residents to sign up for local emergency alerts at alerthc.org.
