Emergency Management director reports statewide flooding; governor declared state emergency for affected counties

Emergency Management Director Mister Nelson told the Morrow County Board that several areas of the state were hit by severe storms that caused flooding, power outages and sheltering operations.

Nelson said he received early-morning calls from local fire chiefs and described significant flooding in Perry County that temporarily prevented the county emergency operations center from opening; officials established an alternate EOC at the sheriff’s office and opened shelters for rescued residents. “I got about 2.5 inches at my house, over the 24 hours,” Nelson said, describing local rainfall totals, and he added that other parts of the state — including Columbus and Cleveland areas — saw heavier damage and outages. He reported the governor had “declare[d] a state emergency for Muskegon and Perry.”

Nelson told the board the county itself experienced only minor impacts and no major flooding at the courthouse, but he urged continued vigilance and coordination, noting mass-sheltering and evacuation plans were in place for areas that needed them. The board did not vote on emergency declarations for Morrow County; Nelson’s report was informational and focused on state and neighboring-county impacts.

Staff said they would continue to track updates and share any new guidance or requests for resources from affected counties.