THE FLOOD of 2011 has put Perkins Field at Bill Jobko Stadium in Brookside under nearly 10 foot of water.
Big Wheeling Creek has well-overflowed its banks and the water is creeping up the road leading to the stadium and nearing National Road.
However, this isn't the first time and well likely won't be the last time this happens.
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PERKINS?FIELD in?Brookside was under water Saturday afternoon, one of the many areas of the Ohio?Valley which felt the effects of flooding.
But the Bulldogs were prepared, according to Athletic Director Doug Tush.
"Our maintenance department and some of the football team went down Thursday and packed up everything," Tush said Saturday afternoon during a telephone interview. "They cleaned out underneath the home stands, the concession stand and the lockeroom and weight room."
According to Tush, all of the football equipment is being stored in a pair of tractor trailers behind the high school in Wolfhurst.
"It should be safe there," he said.
Tush said that during the Flood of 2004, the water completely submerged the lockeroom and weight room.
"We've definitely seen it higher, but this is a big one," he added.
Another worry of the athletic department is the infield at Niekro Diamond.
"We re-sodded the entire infield the week before Thanksgiving at a cost of $6,000," he noted. "We're just hoping that the roots had already taken and we don't lose too much when the water starts to recede."
Water was also creeping up to Rhodes Florist, also located on National Road.
Also, Boydsville Road has been closed due to high water, while the creek has flooded the parking lot in downtown Bridgeport behind the former site of the Eagles Lodge.
In addition to the Bridgeport area, floodwaters wreaked havoc in varying degrees. Many sections of the area suffered extensive water damage up and down the path of the Ohio River.
Wheeling Island, as expected, received heavy damage, forcing many residents to leave their homes. Greyhound racing at Wheeling Downs was canceled but the hotel and casino remained open.
"We are glad the predictions have come in lower than expected, thus giving us the opportunity to still service our guests 24/7," states Jim Simms, President & General Manager of Wheeling Island. "In the meantime, we will continue our recovery efforts on our live greyhound racing."
OVRTA/EORTA bus and van service was shut down Saturday due to the flooding. Service will resume Monday.
Powhatan Point water came up onto several roads but no serious issues were reported. Ohio 147 in Bellaire was also reported covered in sections.
No major flooding was reported in Jefferson County.
Forecasts for the Ohio Valley today called for temperatures in the lows 40s with possible light rain, which will not result in any additional flooding problems.
