Some central Ohio counties see washed out roads, evacuations due to heavy rains, flooding

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3 days ago

Washed out roads, evacuations and water rescues spanned three counties in central Ohio after heavy rain on June 1.
Meanwhile, heavy rain from what appears to the last storm of a lingering front moved through Delaware County and had entered Franklin County about 8:45 p.m.
Fairfield, Pickaway and Ross counties all saw flooding in some areas on July 1. While much of the water has receded and some roads have reopened, other roads have been damaged or wiped away, and some counties still remain on alert for flood damage and more possible incoming rain in the region.
Here's what we know about the impact of heavy, sustained rains on July 1 in those counties:
While most of the floodwaters had receded in Ross County by evening on July 1, McDonald Hill Road in Frankfort was completely washed away, as were parts of County Road 550, said Josh Garrett, deputy director of the Ross County Emergency Management Agency. He said it's not clear when those roads will be repaired, and at least one family was evacuated from their home in Frankfort.
Approximately 2.4 inches of rain fell throughout the day in the area, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
The American Electric Power map showed 735 customers without power in Hopetown, an unincorporated village in Ross County just north of Chillicothe, and in northern Chillicothe. The estimated restoration time was 10:30 p.m. on July 1.
In Pickaway County, at least seven homes were evacuated by rising waters and two water rescues were conducted due to people driving through flood waters, reported Tiffany Nash, director of the Pickaway County Emergency Management Agency.
While much of the water has since receded, Nash said several roads were still closed, including parts of Kingston Pike to Gay Dreisbach Road, Hayesville Road to Route 56.
Winchester Southern Road from Heigle Road to Stoutsville Pike was completely washed out, she said.
Garrett Blevins, deputy director of the Fairfield County Emergency Management Agency, said most of the roads closed over the course of July 1 were reopened in Fairfield County. However, Winchester Southern Road in Stoutsville, where much of the flooding occurred, was mostly closed south of Main Street, he said.
Bowers Road in Clear Creek Township, where much of the heavy rain fell, was also closed between the cross sections of Route 159 and Amanda-Southern Road.
Medical business and health care reporter Samantha Hendrickson can be reached at [e-mail]
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Central Ohio counties see washed out roads, evacuations