(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)
The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings in Licking, Marion and Pickaway counties in central Ohio.
According to the warnings, minor flooding is occurring in the areas of the South Fork Licking River near Interstate 70 and Buckeye Lake until the afternoon of May 23, as well as the Scioto River near High Street, La Rue Prospect Road and parts of Vine Street in La Rue until late morning May 24 and near Canal Road and State Route 104, on Island Road and along Big Darby Creek near Circleville through the afternoon of May 25.
When waters reach 880 feet, water extends into the exit ramp from I-70 East to U.S. Route 79 in Licking County, the weather service said. At 10:45 a.m. May 23, waters had risen to 880.1 feet and were forecast to crest at 880.2 feet that afternoon.
A live traffic map maintained by the Ohio Department of Transportation showed the ramp remained open at 11:30 a.m., though there was standing water near the roadway. As of 3:30 p.m., the ramp remained open, but floodwaters had risen to the edge of the pavement.
Earlier this morning, the weather service extended a flood watch for some parts of central Ohio as forecasters anticipate more rain after an already damp week.
Parts of central Ohio saw 2-3½ inches of rain in the past 24 hours, the weather service said in a post on X. More rain is expected the afternoon of May 23.
About 5 a.m. May 23, the weather service extended a flood watch for Licking, Fairfield, Ross, Hocking and Scioto counties in Ohio through 6 p.m. The weather service said excessive runoff may flood rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying or flood-prone locations.
Heavy showers and thunderstorms are possible for those areas this afternoon, and they could bring locally heavy rain to already wet soil, causing rapid runoff and flash flooding.
In Newark, there is an 80% chance of rain with ¼-½ inch of rain possible.
Weather service warns of flooding near Olentangy River near Worthington
Columbus is under a flood advisory until 8 p.m., with the weather service warning that the Olentangy River near Worthington could flood nearby low-lying areas.
When the Olentangy River reaches 8 feet, it begins to flood yards along the river near Mount Air, the weather service said. Mount Air is a subdivision in Sharon Township in northern Franklin County.
At 3:45 a.m., just before the weather service issued the advisory, the river reached 7.9 feet. It is expected to rise to a crest of 8.5 feet. The river is considered flooded at 11 feet.
Columbus has a 60% chance of rain, and could see ⅒-¼ inch of rainfall May 23, according to a weather service forecast. Higher rainfalls are possible in thunderstorms.
Social media video shows flooding in Columbus’ German Village
Social media videos showed flooding May 22 in some parts of Columbus.
An Instagram reel posted by the @germanvillagers Instagram account that evening showed floodwaters at 3rd and Willow streets in German village.
The footage shows vehicles trying to drive through standing water and pedestrians wading through knee-deep puddles.
Breaking news and public safety reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: South Fork Licking, Scioto rivers hit flood stage near Hebron, Circleville
Reporting by Bailey Gallion, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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