A heavy rainstorm in southern Ohio late Saturday night, killed two children and their mother, when the mobile home they were living in was washed away into the Ohio creek by the flash flood.
The dead bodies were found Sunday morning after the foundation of the house was torn out of the ground. Victoria Kennard, 32, was identified by her remaining family. Six months pregnant at the time of death, Victoria, left behind her husband, Tony Barrios, 47, and two other sons who survived the horrific storm. Seven years old, Gabriel Barrios’ body, was found with his mother’s. Three years old baby Grace Barrios was missing at first and crews searched overnight and they finally found her dead body around 9 am.
The rescue team located one of the surviving children, hanging from a tree, presumably for safety, from the heavy current, confirmed by David Benjamin, who aided in the rescue. The surviving children were rushed to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and now the updates of their condition are still unconfirmed.
Authorities seem to believe this family of six was living in this trailer in Ripley when the rising water made its way in on Saturday night. The rain caused four inches deep water flood overnight in Georgetown and Ripley. The National Weather Service in the Brown County released an Aerial Flood Warning for until Sunday evening.
Multiple vehicles underwater and eight people from flooded roadways were rescued by the Georgetown fire crews. State Route 125 near Georgetown is closed until at least until Monday because of high water. State Route 68 is closed at the 14.5 mile marker for road damage. Fortunately, there were no reports of damage in Owen, Mason, and Lewis counties despite of the heavy rainfall.
The rescue effort of the officials from Brown County was assisted by Ripley, Ohio Emergency Management and the Ohio State Patrol. The massive flood has damaged roads and homes. The Georgetown village administrator says that they periodically witness flash floods that flow into homes but, it has never been this severe.
Sanam Reza
