Floodwaters overtook the intersection of W. Third Ave and Rail Street in Grandview Heights on Aug. 20, as heavy overnight thunderstorms dumped inches of rain across central Ohio and triggered water rescues regionwide.
Photographs posted by FOX 28 Columbus showed the roadway submerged, with the station describing the scene as extreme flooding. WSYX ABC 6 dedicated five images in a 35-photo gallery to the Grandview location, captioning them "Flood waters take over W. Third Ave/Rail Street in Grandview."
The National Weather Service reported 2 to 4.5 inches of rain fell during thunderstorms across the central Ohio area, according to the Columbus Dispatch. The storms moved through overnight into Thursday morning, hitting during the commute.
The flooding is a separate weather event from the Aug. 11 derecho that downed trees and knocked out power across the region. Upper Arlington is still clearing storm debris from that earlier storm.
Regional impact
Across central Ohio, the Aug. 20 flooding forced multiple water rescues and widespread road closures, 10TV reported. Several school districts canceled classes entirely, including Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Whitehall and Gahanna-Jefferson.
Columbus City Schools, holding its first day of classes, reported that seven buses were rerouting around flooded roads as of 7:35 a.m. A district spokesperson said crews were dispatched to help bus drivers navigate out of flood areas safely, and asked local drivers to watch for students walking to bus stops and for buses backing out of closed streets.
Grandview Heights has not issued statement
Neither Mayor Greta Kearns nor the Grandview Heights Division of Police has issued a public statement addressing the flooding at W. Third Ave and Rail Street. No official road closure orders specific to the Grandview corridor have been confirmed.
A Grandview Heights Special Council Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 24 at 1525 Goodale Blvd. The agenda has not been posted.
Residents who experienced flooding or road hazards can contact the Grandview Heights Division of Police non-emergency line.
