Kelleys Island's volunteer EMS is staring down a hefty cleanup bill after last weekend's historic downpour sent filthy floodwater rushing into its training room beneath the village town hall, soaking critical gear and leaving much of it unusable. The damage, which local officials estimate could top $40,000, comes just days before Island Fest, the island's flagship summer celebration scheduled for next weekend.
Russell Maust, director of Kelleys Island EMS, told News 5 Cleveland that water in the training room came up to about mid-thigh and that a lot of the equipment had floated and was drifting around in this room. He said the floodwater was a hazardous mix of stormwater and sewage, complicating cleanup and raising public health concerns. Replacement costs for multiple rooms and pieces of equipment are estimated at about $40,000, and Maust is asking for public donations to help cover the losses.
Storm Dumps Months Of Rain Overnight
Doppler radar and automated gauges indicated that 7 to 14 inches of rain fell across the island in just a few hours, triggering flash flood warnings and advisories. Spectrum News 1 reported that village police put some local totals closer to 15 inches. Officials said crews have been working to clear roadways and restore services while hazards remain in low-lying areas.
Island Fest Will Go On But Turnout Is A Concern
The Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce says Memorial Park will still host Island Fest on July 17–19 with craft vendors, live music, a parade and fireworks on the schedule. The Kelleys Island Chamber of Commerce notes the festival is a free outdoor event and is still seeking sponsors to meet a $20,000 goal for the fireworks display. Chamber leaders warned that lingering misconceptions about the storm's impact could keep visitors away and hurt the small businesses that depend on summer traffic.
How To Help The EMS Squad
Maust put out a public call for help, telling News 5 Cleveland that donations will be critical to keeping training and response capabilities intact. The station's article lists a PayPal option the EMS has set up for contributions, and local volunteers are organizing benefit events to cover replacement costs. For now, crews are focused on removing contaminated materials from the training room and sanitizing equipment before regular drills can resume.
Officials continue to urge visitors to check ferry schedules and use caution on wet island roads, but both the chamber and village officials say stores, the state park, and most services are open and functioning. Visitors who come for Island Fest next weekend will likely see the island's recovery efforts firsthand, and organizers say community support will determine how quickly EMS can replace the lost gear.
