Licking County avoids major flooding in Tuesday storms but some areas still waterlogged

NEWARK − Licking County avoided major flooding from multiple storm fronts passing through the area on Tuesday, but numerous roads were closed and baseball fields, a trailer park and the Ohio 79-Interstate 70 ramps were flooded.

The Ohio Department of Transportation announced Wednesday morning the Interstate 70 eastbound off ramp to Ohio 79 and the I-70 westbound on ramp to Ohio 79 were flooded and closed. The area is usually one of the first areas to flood during heavy rain events.

In Hebron, it was also more of the usual routine, Mayor Valerie Mockus said. Water was over the river bank and into backyards in Greenbriar Village mobile home park, east of Ohio 79 and north of US. 40, the mayor said.

“They’re used to parking along the road on high ground," Mockus said. “It takes a toll on folks being on high alert for so many hours.

“We had a lot of road closures by midnight and a lot of water standing on the southeast side of the village. A lot of flooded basements.”

Mockus said the water flows from Licking River, from township through creeks into the village and to the South Fork of the Licking River. For years, there have been efforts to improve the flow of water through the village, which has endured flooding for decades.

In Heath, Mayor Mark Johns said a section of Licking View Drive, around Glenwood Apartments and Crestview Drive, was closed in the middle of the night.

"The South Fork went over the banks and flooded a portion of the roadway," Johns said. "Residents in the area were notified of a voluntary evacuation. Around 3:30 a.m., the water started going back down and we were able to open the roadway back up. I'm sure it's stressful for people potentially displaced."

The Licking County Health Department announced Tuesday a shelter would open at 6 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 592 West Main St., in Newark, for residents in need of a place to stay.

Johns said debris is blocking some of the flow to culverts and city officials were still assessing the roadways Wednesday morning.

Elsewhere in Licking County, the original youth baseball complex in Hanover was under water Wednesday morning, and the baseball fields at Don Edwards Park in Newark were also flooded.

Licking County Commissioner Duane Flowers said flooding damaged the foundation of a temporary floating bridge on Wolford Road in Hanover, affecting area residents' access to Wolford and Hickman roads.

"Overall, we were very lucky we did not get another inch or two," Flowers said. "The river is back down now.”

Licking County Engineer Jared Knerr said Staddens Bridge and Brownnsville Road bridges were closed Wednesday.

Minor flooding was evident mid-Tuesday in most areas of Licking County, with concerns about more rain coming into the area.

Crews were installing flood gates on South Second Street over the Licking River in Newark. The road was closed about 3 p.m. The river was at 17.5 feet. If the river rises to 19 feet, crews would also install gates on National Drive.

As of late Tuesday afternoon, eight county roads were closed and high water reported on 14 others, Knerr said. A flood watch remained in effect until 11 p.m.

The Newark Division of Police also asked that residents of Canterbury Trailer Park (Licking View Drive) and Little Texas voluntarily evacuate due to rising waters. Newark Police reported Wednesday morning there were no major issues.

Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb said late Tuesday morning that "the rivers are close to running full."

Flood warnings were issued for Licking County, including two sections of the North Fork Licking River near downtown Newark, according to the Licking County Emergency Management Agency.

Johnstown Police Chief Rusty Smart said East Pratt Street, between Track and Yardner streets, was flooded and closed until the water drains off. Outside of Johnstown city limits, Mink, Nichols and Green Chapel roads were all flooded.

Johnstown canceled its Tuesday night City Council meeting due to "the high risk of severe weather" and rescheduled it for 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

“Last night, we dodged a big bullet, I believe,” Johnstown Mayor Donnie Barnard said Wednesday morning.

Licking County EMA Director Sean Grady said the ground is saturated and the rivers are rising and lowering fairly quickly.

“We haven’t seen significant flooding yet," Grady said. "We’ve seen flooding. There’s been enough time between storms the river can empty itself out.”

The county road closures included Brushy Fork and Gratiot roads in the southeast and Pinewood Trail in the northeast. The northwest part of the county had Bennington Chapel and Clover Valley roads closed. Also, Raccoon Valley Road in the west central was closed.

Grady said Ridgely Tract near Ohio 79 and Jersey Mill were two other roads reported closed to Licking County 911 Center.

High water was reported on the following: Rainrock, Hickman, Martinsburg, Loches, York, Wilkins Run, Mill Dam, Watkins, Blacks, Morse, Price, Swans and Foxchase roads and Mink Street.

"My gut says the storm overnight and (Tuesday) morning was probably a 10-year storm," Knerr said.

Knerr said the storm in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, was a 50-year storm. Days after the novel coronavirus was declared a pandemic, Licking County was hit with flash flooding on the same day of its first confirmed COVID case. Emergency officials rescued Newark and Heath residents from homes, apartments and trailers.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @kmallett1958

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County avoids major flooding Tuesday; some areas waterlogged