ASHLAND — The Ashland County EMA director said Thursday the torrential downpours late last week resulted in around $400,000 in damage. 

Anne Strouth, the director of Ashland County EMA, said 16 homes and six vehicles were damaged by flooding on Aug. 24 across the county. Several roads and bridges were also damaged, she said. 

A culvert along Township Road 1275 washed away, taking a vehicle filled with a father and son with it, she said. 

Portions of 14 roads around the county were closed for hours as waters receded. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office performed four dive rescues involving five people.

Strouth emphasized the danger of driving through standing water on roadways.

“The rule is, when there’s standing water on the roadway, don’t go through it. You have no idea what’s underneath of you,” she said.

She also encouraged residents to sign up for weather alerts that can be sent to cell phones, landlines and email. Once registered, alerts are sent as the National Weather Service issues them. 

Click here to register.

Strouth said the estimated amount in damages could swell as more is reported through the county’s 211 service. 

She encouraged residents to dial 211 to report additional damage so she can include it in reports to state and federal agencies. 

She is unsure if the Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide funding following the storms.

Another way residents can save money following storm damage is by utilizing the county’s valuation deduction application form. The program allows residents to receive a 75% reduction in the valuation of their properties come tax season in 2024. 

“There’s a lot of weather related incidents that have happened here in Ashland County and they’re becoming more frequent and more severe,” she said. “The climate’s changing — so we’re feeling the impact of that.” 

An EF0 tornado ripped through a portion of northern Ashland County in June. Tornados damaged 480 acres of Mohican-Memorial State Forest land in June 2022.