Most of the area is under a flood warning until 4:45 a.m. Sunday.
Counties affected include Morrow, Richland, Marion, Ashland and Knox, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.
As of 4:42 p.m. Saturday, heavy rain was falling over the area. Up to 1 inch of rain already had fallen, and there were rumblings of thunder.
Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton has issued this advisory:
“Morrow County has received a large amount of rain. This rain has caused flooding throughout the county. We are urging everyone to only drive if it is absolutely necessary. If you come across a road that has water across it, please turn around and take an alternate route.
“One person has already been rescued tonight because they tried to drive through water that was over the roadway.”
List of roads currently flooded, as reported to the Sheriff’s Office Saturday night:
St Rt 288 between SR 61 and SR 19
St Rt 229/Rd 170
Rd 8 E of Rd 46
Rd 29 E of Rd 38
Rd 170 South of Rd 15
SR 61/ SR 229 road completely covered
Rd 61 and Rd76
Rd 57 W St Rt 19
Rd 103 N & S is under water
Cardington Dollar General Parking lot
Rd 38 entire road flooded
Rd 218/Rd 221 Bridge Completely impassable
Rd 9 Bridge near SR 95 completely impassable
Rd 145 E of SR 61
SR 229/Rd166
Rd 170/Rd 15
Rd 21/Rd 26 signs have been hit
Rd 126/Village limits completely flooded
SR 229/Rd165
Rd 166/Rd 156 off of SR 229
SR 95/Rd 178
Rd 29 off of SR 61
Rain is supposed to dissipate around 6 p.m. with lighter rain possible. An additional inch or more is possible, according to the weather service.
Authorities warn motorists to be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.
