Motorists should be mindful of flash floods

Published 11:41 am Thursday, May 1, 2014

THE TRIBUNE/JESSICA ST JAMES A hauling truck braves the high waters while traveling northbound on State Route 93 in Pedro Wednesday.

THE TRIBUNE/JESSICA ST JAMES
A hauling truck braves the high waters while traveling northbound on State Route 93 in Pedro Wednesday.

Storms over the past couple days have caused water levels to rise and several road closures throughout Lawrence County.

But, even as the chances of precipitation decrease over the coming days more road closures are expected, according to Kathleen Fuller, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation, District 9.

“The way the tributary system works and with the runoff it’s likely more roads could be closed,” Fuller said. “Flash floods are a very real possibility, especially with areas toward Hanging Rock that are a problem area for flash floods.”

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As of now these roads remain closed indefinitely due to high waters:

State Route 141 in Lawrence County at the 17.60-mile marker, between State Route 775 and Township Road 204 (Arabia-Greasy Ridge Road); State Route 141 in Lawrence County, between the 16.00 and 16.20-mile markers, south of State Route 775 and the community of Wilgus; State Route 522 in Lawrence County at the 3.00-mile marker, between the intersecting points of County Road 10 (Old 522); State Route 650 in Lawrence County, between the 9.00 and the 9.20-mile markers, near County Road 10 (Old 522) and State Route 522; State Route 93 in Lawrence County at the 10.00-mile marker, between Township Road 150 (Lawrence Hill Road) and Township Road 623 (Sand Hollow Road); State Route 139 in Scioto County, between the 11.0-mile marker, just east of State Route 335, and the Scioto-Jackson County line; and County Road 18 (Blue Creek Road) in Adams County, between State Route 125 and State Route 348. Blue Creek Road is the assigned detour for the State Route 125 bridge replacement project; motorists are now being detoured via State Route 247 and U.S. 52 at West Union.

Over the next couple of days ODOT will continue to monitor roadways in Lawrence County to ensure safety for travelers.

“We do want to remind people not to try to drive through high water,” Fuller said. “If motorists come across high water we ask them to find an alternate route and not attempt to drive through it.”

If drivers want to report dangerous road conditions they can contact ODOT by calling 740-773-2691.