Columbus Area Under Flood Warning Through Friday as Heavy Rains Continue
Waters are rising dangerously across central Ohio as heavy rains drench the region through Friday—officials urge residents to steer clear of flooded roads an…
COLUMBUS — The National Weather Service issued multiple flood warnings for the Columbus area Monday evening as heavy rainfall continues to saturate already swollen waterways across central Ohio.
The flood warning, issued at 10:04 p.m. Monday by the NWS Pittsburgh office, remains in effect until 2 p.m. Friday for areas in and around Columbus. Officials warned residents to avoid flooded roads and low-lying areas as water levels continue to rise on local streams and rivers.
“Flooding is occurring or is imminent,” according to the National Weather Service warning. “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. A mere 6 inches of moving water can knock you down and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.”
Multiple Warnings Issued Across Region
The Columbus area is among several regions in Ohio and surrounding states under flood warnings. The NWS Northern Indiana office issued additional warnings Monday evening for areas extending until early Saturday morning, with some warnings lasting until 4 a.m. and 9:42 a.m. Friday.
Earlier Monday, severe thunderstorm warnings were also issued for parts of the region by the NWS Charleston, West Virginia office. Those warnings expired by 6:45 p.m. Monday, but the storms contributed to the ongoing flooding concerns.
Local emergency management officials advised residents to monitor conditions closely and avoid unnecessary travel in flood-prone areas. Several roads in Franklin County reported standing water Monday evening, according to county dispatch reports.
Safety Precautions Urged
Columbus Division of Fire spokesman advised residents to never attempt to drive through flooded roadways. “Turn around, don’t drown,” officials emphasized, citing the dangerous combination of swift-moving water and poor visibility conditions.
The Franklin County Emergency Management Agency recommended that residents in low-lying areas near the Scioto River and Olentangy River monitor water levels throughout the week. Sandbags were made available at several county facilities for residents in flood-prone neighborhoods.
City officials said storm drains across Columbus are functioning properly, but the volume of rainfall has overwhelmed the system’s capacity in some areas. Public Works crews were deployed Monday evening to clear debris from storm drains and monitor problem areas.
The flood warning covers urban areas as well as small streams and creeks throughout central Ohio. Weather service meteorologists said additional rainfall is possible through Thursday, potentially extending flooding conditions into the weekend.
Residents should report flooding to local authorities and avoid walking or driving through moving water. Emergency officials stressed that just six inches of moving water can knock down an adult, while 12 inches can carry away a vehicle.
