Hocking County EMA

09/21/2026

Attention Hocking Residents

The Hocking County EMA has set up two ways for those with damages from the September 19th-20th flood in the county.

Please go to [email protected] and submit your name, address, phone number, and four to five photos showing the damaged area.

If you do not have internet access, call 740-380-4112 and submit your name, address, phone number, and a brief description of your damage.

Assessment teams will be out within a few days.

If you have any question, contact 740-380-4112, leave a message and someone will return the call.

09/20/2026

Hocking County First Responders are requesting that the public should avoid the area of State Route 56 and South Bloomingville. A high volume of vehicle traffic is hindering their operations in the area. Avoid the area if possible.

09/20/2026

Press Release

September 20th, 2026

Update 9:25 AM

Hocking County experienced torrential rains overnight, causing major flooding in western parts or the county. Areas affected include Perry, Salt Creek, Benton, and Laurel Township.

First Responders continue to conduct search and rescue operations in isolated areas affected by the flooding, as several structures remain partially underwater or isolated. Several water rescue teams in the area have been activated to assist.

Water is currently receding in many areas. However, numerous roadways are still underwater. Use caution when traveling in the area.

For a list of state roadways affected please go to ohgo.com. Please be aware that the list is constantly being updated.

Box 37 has responded to a temporary shelter established at Hocking Hills Elementary School, located at 19197 State Route 664 South.

No injuries have been reported at this time.

As a reminder, please do not drive through areas of high water, and avoid the area if possible

Traffic Flow Receive up-to-the-minute updates on current traffic speeds, accidents or other incidents anywhere in Ohio so you can get there faster.

09/20/2026

Press Release

Update on flooding that occurred in Hocking County on September 20th, 2026

Local First Responders, including Laurelville Fire, Washington Township Fire, Logan Fire, Chillicothe VA Water Rescue and the Hocking County Sheriff's Office are actively conducting evacuations and rescues at this time.

Numerous township, county and state routes are temporarily closed or restricted. Areas affected include Perry, Benton, Laurel, and Salt Creek Township.

Additionally, South Central Power has reported isolated outages in the area related to the weather.

The Red Cross has opened a temporary shelter at Hocking Hills Elementary School, located at 19197 State Route 664 South for those affected.

We will continue to update the situation as information becomes available.

09/20/2026

Press Release

September 20th, 2026

Hocking County experienced torrential rains overnight, causing major flooding in western parts or the county. Rescue efforts are ongoing in several areas. We will update information as it becomes available.

A shelter has been opened at Hocking Hills Elementary School at 19197 State Route 664 South.

As a reminder, please do not drive through areas of high water.

09/03/2026

Notice: Urgent- A Boil Order has been issued for the Hocking Mall until further notice. Posted 9/3/2026 15:23

08/10/2026

Notice: A Boil Order has been issued for all of South Logan until further notice. Posted 8/10/2026

08/10/2026

Sunday, August 9, 2026: All of South Logan is currently without water due to a water main break in the area. This could be ongoing through the night. Please plan accordingly. Posted at 21:00.

07/23/2026

Here is the response from the NWS-Wilmington in regards to pictures and information presented to them from Hocking County EMA from the storms on 7/21/2026 in the area of Lowery Road, Benton Township, Hocking County:

We took a close look at the damage as well as radar data from our office (KILN) and the FAA TDWR radar out of the Columbus area (TCMH). Radar data strongly supports that a downburst occurred near this location, and comparing this to some of the other storm reports in central Ohio, wind speeds were likely as high as 70 MPH. This occurred between 400PM and 405PM on July 21.

Thanks and let us know if there's anything else we can help with.

NWS Wilmington Ohio

07/17/2026

Ohio EPA has issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Pollutants across the state are expected to range from the `Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups` category in the southwest part of the state to the `Unhealthy` category in the rest of the state. Hourly concentrations at times may reach the `Very Unhealthy` to `Hazardous` categories.
It is recommended, when possible, to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in the nose, throat, and eyes.

Real-time air quality conditions can be checked at:

https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Logan&state=OH&country=USA

For additional information, please visit the Ohio EPA's website at epa.ohio.gov.

AirNow is your one-stop source for air quality data. Our recently redesigned site highlights air quality in your local area first, while still providing air quality information at state, national, and world views.