COLUMBUS – Two days of record rainfall has flooded roadways in central Ohio, shutting down a major interstate on the South Side of Columbus.
Daily rainfall records were broken at all three major climate sites for 05/19/2020.
Columbus: 2.02 inches. Previous record 1.49 set in 2017.
Cincinnati: 1.57 inches. Previous record 1.14 set in 2008.
Dayton: 1.68 inches. Previous record 1.50 set in 1957.
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) May 20, 2020
The Ohio Department of Transportation reported that at least 29 roads under its jurisdiction were closed Wednesday morning across the state due to high water.
Don’t underestimate the power of water. It only takes 6 inches of fast-moving water to knock over and carry away an adult, and 12 inches to carry away a car. Turn Around Don’t Drown! https://t.co/XQVJcueEwr #FloodSafety pic.twitter.com/NP2VPk6ZNk
— Franklin County Emergency Management (@FCEMHS) May 20, 2020
In central Ohio, the most troublesome closure was the shutdown of I-71 in both directions between State Route 104 and I-70 on the South Side of Columbus. Greenlawn avenue was also shutdown between S. High Street and Harmon Avenue because authorities deployed a flood barrier in the area.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
I-71 between I-70 and Frank Rd. (right)
SR 315 South CLOSED at I-70
Ramps from I-70 to I-71 South CLOSED.
U.S. 23 CLOSED at I-270 (S Side)
Ramps from I-270 East and West to US 23 CLOSED.
DELAWARE COUNTY
SR 3 CLOSED between Lewis Center Rd. and Big Walnut Rd.
LICKING COUNTY
Ramp form I-70 East to SR 79 CLOSED
PICKAWAY COUNTY
SR 752 is CLOSED between U.S. 23 and Ashville
SR 762 is CLOSED between U.S. 23 and SR 104
-Source: ODOT
Much of central Ohio remained under some kind of flooding advisory Wednesday.