Flood Warnings Hit South Central Ohio as Heavy Rain Closes Roads
Multiple flood warnings and advisories blanketed southern Ohio Thursday morning, shutting down roads across Highland, Pike, Ross, Adams and Hamilton counties after overnight storms dumped up to 3.5 inches of rain.
HILLSBORO, OHIO — The National Weather Service office in Wilmington issued multiple flood warnings and advisories across southern Ohio on Thursday morning as excessive rainfall affected numerous communities, leading to road closures and law enforcement response across several counties.
South Central Ohio Counties Under Flood Warning
A Flood Warning issued at 7:33 a.m. EDT covers Highland, Pike, and Ross counties in south central Ohio and remains in effect until 9:45 a.m. EDT. Local law enforcement reported active flooding in the warned area as of 7:33 a.m., with many roads still closed.
The National Weather Service stated that flooding impacts will continue, but no additional rainfall is expected for the region. Communities affected include Hillsboro, Waverly, Piketon, Lynchburg, Marshall, Sardinia, Bainbridge, Cynthiana, Kincaid Springs, Pike Lake, Highland Holiday, Rocky Fork Point, Belfast, Russell, New Market, Mowrystown, Sinking Spring, Paint Creek State Park, Rainsboro, and Rocky Fork Lake.
An earlier Flood Warning, issued at 7:25 a.m. EDT and covering Adams, Highland, Pike, and Ross counties, was set to expire at 7:45 a.m. EDT. That alert also cited flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations as imminent or occurring. Locations listed under that warning included Hillsboro, Waverly, Piketon, Lynchburg, Winchester, Marshall, Sardinia, Bainbridge, Cynthiana, Kincaid Springs, Highland Holiday, Rocky Fork Point, Pike Lake, Belfast, Russell, New Market, Emerald, Mowrystown, Sinking Spring, and St. Martin.
Hamilton County and Cincinnati Area Face Flood Advisory
Southwest Ohio’s Hamilton County, which includes the Cincinnati metropolitan area, is under a Flood Advisory issued at 7:29 a.m. EDT and running until 9:15 a.m. EDT. Between 2 and 3.5 inches of rain fell overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
Law enforcement reported minor flooding in the advisory area as of 7:29 a.m., with water over roadways and flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. No additional rainfall is expected in Hamilton County either, according to the NWS.
Communities in the Hamilton County advisory area include Cincinnati, Covington, Norwood, Fort Thomas, Newport, Madeira, Cheviot, Villa Hills, Milford, Bellevue, Deer Park, Dayton, Greendale, Ludlow, Forestville, Mariemont, Cleves, Terrace Park, Silver Grove, and Shawnee.
Residents Urged to Avoid Flooded Roads
All three alerts were issued by the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, Ohio. The warnings and advisory reflect a broad area of southern Ohio impacted by overnight and early morning rainfall, with flooding spanning rural communities, state park areas, and the greater Cincinnati region.
The National Weather Service has not provided guidance on when closed roads are expected to reopen. Residents and travelers are advised to check local emergency management and law enforcement channels for road closure updates as conditions change throughout the morning.
