BRIDGEPORT — Multiple restaurants and businesses were forced to close Thursday due to flooding in the Brookside area.

The Brookside Fire Department established a detour for U.S. 40 in the Bridgeport area on Thursday evening. Fire Chief Allan Ketzell III said the detour was for all traffic except tractor-trailers. Nearby Perkins Field was completely submerged, and surrounding buildings were impacted.

Bridgeport Exempted Village School District Superintendent Brent Ripley said the flooding was expected and preparations had been made to deal with the high water.

“When returning to Perkins Field, we took measures to prevent potential damage,” Ripley said, referring to a project to revamp the stadium and complex after the original stands were condemned largely due to water damage. When rebuilding the bleachers, for example, they were anchored into the ground.

One of the multiple buildings affected was the Brookside Fire Department, where the basement was completely flooded. Most if not all of the businesses in Brookside had to shut down for safety reasons.

The Bellaire Village Council meeting was canceled Thursday as a result of multiple roads in Bellaire being closed due to flooding. Village Administrator Frank Shaffer said 51st Street, Pinch Run Road, and Clee Run Road were all closed due to flooding. Due to Nelson Field being completely underwater, the Bellaire Relay will now be held in Shadyside at Fleming Field on Saturday.

Shaffer, who also is a Pultney Township trustee, spoke about the importance of the relationships the townships of Belmont County have.

“If we don’t all work together nothing would get done,” he added.

Flooding also occurred in Powhatan Point, Clarington, and at many other points along the river. Roads impacted by high water also included Ohio 7 at Powhatan, Ohio 78 at Clarington, and Ohio 148 at Powhatan.

The National Weather Service extended the flood warning for Belmont County until early Saturday. The Ohio River crested around 8 p.m. Thursday at nearly 42 feet. Flood stage is 36 feet at Wheeling. The flooding followed high amounts of rainfall over several days. Rain gauges across Belmont County measured more than 4 inches of rainfall in several communities.

A mix of rain and snow showers is expected today, with it tapering off early Saturday morning. The NWS is calling for cloudy skies with a low of 29 degrees Saturday night. Sunday will be mostly sunny with a high of 59 degrees.