CROOKSVILLE, Ohio — Moxahala Creek swelled beyond its banks in Crooksville again the night of Sunday, Sept. 20 and the morning of Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
This flood event marks the fifth high water event of varying intensities the village has taken on since the first and most severe on August 11, 2026.
Keaton Lewis, Chief Meteorologist at WHIZ in Zanesville confirmed the storm system which brought heavy rainfall to Crooksville is the same system which spawned wind gusts of more than 70 miles per hour in the Dayton area four hours prior to the Crooksville flooding.
Monday, China Street was closed due to high water and the lawns at Village Green Apartments were covered in flood waters from the Moxahala.
Emergency Alert System warnings were activated on many local radio and television stations in Columbus, Zanesville, Parkersburg and Charleston, W.Va. several times for Perry County, northwestern Morgan and southwestern Muskingum Counties as rain thrashed the region. Water rescues were reported in the Crooksville area Sunday night and Monday morning.
In southwestern Muskingum County, Cannelville also saw high water making some streets impassible until after daybreak.
According to Aaron White, Meteorologist at WBNS 10TV in Columbus, Zanesville’s rainfall totals for Sept. 20-22 equaled 1.41″ for Zanesville and 2.62″ for Athens. It is worthy of noting the rain which fell landed on already saturated soil.
To date, there is no federal emergency declaration for Perry County, though the Ohio Controlling Board has announced $750-$1,500 in funding for flood survivors. (To apply for assistance, call your local county Job and Family Services office.)
Should you choose to do so, there are some Biblical reference points in the New Testament to consider in this situation:
Genesis chapter 9 verse 15 tells us God promised Noah He would not flood the entire earth again
Matthew 16:2-4 teaches us the earth provides basic warnings about upcoming severe weather
James 5:17-18 illustrates how Elias prayed about rain
Jeremiah 10:12-13 provides historical knowledge of God’s power over the earth’s weather
