Rain triggers flooding in, near city

Driving rain triggered flooding in parts of central Ohio on Thursday evening.

As of 8 p.m., 1.5 inches of rain had been recorded at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, said Jim Lott, meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Wilmington.

But spotters in a number of locations in Franklin County were reporting 2 to 2.5 inches of rain, Lott said. A slowmoving low-pressure system caused the rain clouds to stall over the area.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for central Ohio that was expected to expire at 12:01 a.m. Friday. More rain could be coming Friday and Saturday, but no watches or warnings had been posted as of Thursday night.

Cherry Bottom Road on the Northeast Side was closed at Blendon Ravine Way on Thursday evening because storm-sewer drains were backing up, causing flooding, Columbus police said. Low-lying areas, particularly in the Gould Park neighborhood near Big Walnut Creek, are prone to flooding during heavy rains.

Another problem spot just east of Gahanna was Taylor Road near Oakhill Road. High water forced the closing of the road there, the Franklin County sheriff’s office said.

A number of cars were reported to be surrounded by high water in the area of Brentnell Avenue and Toni Street on the Northeast Side, Columbus police said.

The sheriff’s office also was reporting high water in the area of 5th Avenue near Interstate 670.

Delaware County was dealing with high water on Route 750 near the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

The Ohio Department of Transportation also was checking a report of high water at the intersection of routes 750 and 315.

The Pickaway County sheriff’s office said the Island Road underpass in Circleville was closed because of high water.