Athens County Emergency Communications 9-1-1

08/22/2026

08/18/2026

Today is National Volunteer Firefighter Day, August 18th. Our local fire departments go above and beyond to serve our communities in countless ways. They respond to home fires, traffic accidents, downed electrical wires, alarms, fallen trees, traffic control, vehicles in floodwaters, and conduct water rescues, landing zone operations, and much more!
Along with emergency services, they promote community and engagement by organizing various events. This includes celebrating our local sports teams, coordinating Easter egg hunts and parades, providing Christmas gifts for struggling families, hosting children's days, running fundraising activities, and volunteering for different causes. They also collect donations for flood and disaster victims.
Of the 14 fire departments in Athens County, 12 are operated by dedicated volunteers. If you’ve ever wanted to give back to your community in a meaningful way, our fire departments are always in need of volunteers and support.

Today is National Volunteer Firefighter Day, August 18th. Our local fire departments go above and beyond to serve our communities in countless ways. They respond to home fires, traffic accidents, downed electrical wires, alarms, fallen trees, traffic control, vehicles in floodwaters, and conduct water rescues, landing zone operations, and much more!

Along with emergency services, they promote community and engagement by organizing various events. This includes celebrating our local sports teams, coordinating Easter egg hunts and parades, providing Christmas gifts for struggling families, hosting children's days, running fundraising activities, and volunteering for different causes. They also collect donations for flood and disaster victims.
Of the 14 fire departments in Athens County, 12 are operated by dedicated volunteers. If you’ve ever wanted to give back to your community in a meaningful way, our fire departments are always in need of volunteers and support.

08/12/2026

The National Weather Service extended the flood warning until 6 pm for Athens County, issued on August 12 at 5:50AM EDT. The warning covers southeastern Ohio counties and parts of West Virginia, warning of ongoing flooding and road closures due to heavy rain. Locations affected include Athens, Belpre, Nelsonville, Glouster, Trinble, Jacksonville. The Plains, Chauncey, and others. Immediate action: avoid flooded roads; most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

08/11/2026

⚠️ URGENT HIGH WATER / FLOODING ADVISORY FROM SHERIFF SMITH ⚠️

Water is continuing to rise rapidly throughout Athens County as rainfall continues. The Glouster area is currently experiencing the most significant flooding.

The Athens County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to exercise extreme caution and ABSOLUTELY DO NOT attempt to drive through flood water. Emergency responders are currently managing a high volume of calls, specifically involving individuals who have attempted to drive through flood waters. Please do not intentionally enter flooded roadways! Doing so not only puts your life at risk, but also places first responders in danger and diverts critical resources from other emergencies.

🚫 DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH HIGH WATER.
Even if you are familiar with the roadway, conditions can change within minutes. Water may be deeper or moving faster than it appears, and the roadway beneath it may be washed out or damaged.

If you encounter water over the roadway, TURN AROUND and take an alternate route. NEVER drive around barricades or road-closed signs.

Please:
• Avoid unnecessary travel in areas experiencing flooding.
• Remain alert and aware of rapidly changing conditions.
• Use alternate routes and allow extra travel time.
• Check on neighbors, elderly residents, and others who may need assistance, when it is safe to do so.
• Never enter moving flood water on foot or in a vehicle.

Do not take chances with high water. No destination is worth risking your life or the lives of first responders.

TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN.

08/05/2026

Have You Signed Up for HyperReach Yet?

Athens County Emergency Management would like to encourage everyone to take just a couple of minutes to sign up for HyperReach.

We hope we never have to send an emergency notification. Still, if a tornado warning, snow emergency levels, a hazardous materials incident, a road closure, an evacuation, or another emergency affects our community, we want to get that information to you as quickly as possible.

Signing up is free, easy, and helps ensure we have the best way to reach you.

If you haven't signed up yet, now is a great time. And if you have, consider sharing this post and encouraging your family, friends, and neighbors to sign up too.

08/04/2026

CALL IF YOU CAN, TEXT IF YOU CAN'T!

07/21/2026

Athens County 911 has activated the storm sirens due to the Thunderstorm Warning with predicted wind gusts up to 60 mph.

At 11:47 AM EDT, severe thunderstorms were detected along a line extending from 6 miles west of Chesterhill to 6 miles southeast of Glouster, moving east at 35 mph.

**Hazards include:**
- Wind gusts of 60 mph (Radar indicated)

**Impacts:**
- Expect potential damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

**Locations impacted include:**
- Nelsonville
- Glouster
- Chesterhill
- Chauncey
- Buchtel
- Jacksonville
- Trimble
- Amesville
- Stroud Run State Park
- Burr Oak State Park
- The Plains arning and expected wind gusts of 60mph.

The National Weather Service in Charleston West Virginia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for... West central Washington County in southeastern Ohio... Southwestern Morgan County in southeastern Ohio... Central Athens County in southeastern Ohio...

* Until 1215 PM EDT.

* At 1147 AM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 6 miles west of Chesterhill to 6 miles southeast of Glouster to near Athens, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include... Nelsonville, Glouster, Chesterhill, Chauncey, Buchtel, Jacksonville, Trimble, Amesville, Stroud Run State Park, Burr Oak State Park, and The Plains.

07/17/2026

**Attention Athens County Citizens:**

For updates on local air quality levels and associated recommendations, please visit www.airnow.gov. At this time, our area is categorized as "maroon," indicating hazardous conditions.

If you or someone else is experiencing severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, please dial 911 for immediate assistance. Your safety is our priority.