Flood warning in effect for Columbus, central Ohio until early Friday
Portions of central and west-central Ohio are under a flood warning until 10 a.m. Friday as rainfall and snowmelt from Thursday swells local rivers and streams.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring and that local law enforcement and trained spotters reported flooding at 12:44 a.m. Friday in the warned area.
Some locations that may experience flooding, according to the NWS, include Columbus, Newark, Dublin, Lancaster, Westerville, Reynoldsburg, Grove City, Upper Arlington, Gahanna, Hilliard, Pickerington, Worthington, Circleville, Bexley, Heath, London and Logan.
Raccoon Creek in Granville flooded its banks early Friday morning, leaving portions of a bike trail under water and out buildings near the village’s water plant inundated. The creek is expected to fall below flood stage — 13 feet — and hit four feet by Monday morning, according to forecasters.
Licking River below Newark also overflowed its banks Friday morning, threatening a nearby mobile home community and Raccoon Drive. But the flood waters are expected to recede before those areas are affected.
Serious flooding may occur west of Circleville along Mill and Canal Roads, as well as Island Road and State Route 762 if the Scioto River rises above flood stage this evening, according to the forecasters.
And South Fork Licking River below I-70 near Buckeye Lake is expected to rise only slightly above flood stage Friday morning before falling below that level.
Flood warning means flooding is imminent or occurring
Officials, as always, are urging motorists to not attempt to drive through flooded roads, saying most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
The National Weather Service had predicted one to two inches of rain would fall Thursday, prompting the agency to issue a flood watch Wednesday afternoon that was in effect between 7 a.m. Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday.
A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding to occur, while a flood warning means flooding is imminent or occurring.
To report flooding, go to weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media.
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