CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The remnants of Hurricane Helene unleashed a deluge across the southern Ohio region, inundating communities and leaving behind widespread flooding. Portions of the Scioto Valley, particularly Ross, Pike, and Scioto counties, were among the hardest hit by the torrential rainfall that battered the area over the weekend.
Ross County saw more than 8.5 inches of rain in some areas, while inside the city of Chillicothe, nearly 2 inches were recorded. Pike County reported over 5 inches, and between 7 and 8 inches of rainfall accumulated across Scioto County. The intense storm caused flash flooding, submerged roads, and overwhelmed drainage systems, forcing local emergency services into action as they responded to rising floodwaters.
The massive downpour was compounded by powerful winds, which uprooted hundreds of trees and downed power lines throughout the region. The combination of flooding and wind damage resulted in widespread power outages, leaving thousands in southern Ohio without electricity as of Monday morning. Crews have been working around the clock to restore power.
Governor Mike DeWine toured some of the hardest-hit areas in Scioto County over the weekend, speaking with local officials and residents as he surveyed the extent of the damage.
The remnants of Hurricane Helene have renewed discussions about the increasing frequency of severe weather in the region. The storm’s intensity and the subsequent destruction it caused are expected to become a lasting memory for residents.