Portion of Interstate 71 briefly closed due to flooding

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A portion of Interstate 71 southbound briefly closed on Thursday afternoon due to flooding, and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is advising drivers more closures are expected.

All lanes closed on I-71 South at State Route 161 and Dublin Granville Road due to flooding on the roadway, according to ODOT. As of 5 p.m., all lanes had reopened.

How have Ohio’s distracted driving rates changed with phone restriction law?

ODOT cameras did not show a clear image of the flooding, but cameras showed the closure caused a traffic backup on the interstate.

The department is also advising drivers to expect lane closures on on Interstate 70 West at Kelton Avenue and Miller Avenue due to flooding. They also said drivers should expect closures on State Route 315 North at Mulberry Drive and SR-315 South at Lake Shore Drive.

The closure came as multiple central Ohio counties are under a flood watch through the night.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.