SOUTHERN OHIO — The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for southeast Ohio through 9 p.m. Sunday and a flood advisory for parts of Highland and Brown counties until 1:30 p.m. as rounds of heavy rain raise the flash-flood threat across the region.
The watch, issued by the weather service office in Charleston, West Virginia, covers Gallia, Lawrence, Meigs and Washington counties beginning at noon Sunday, along with portions of northeast Kentucky and West Virginia. Forecasters said flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible as the wet pattern continues across the Ohio Valley.
Separately, the weather service office in Wilmington issued a flood advisory for southwestern Highland County and central Brown County until 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Radar and automated rain gauges showed between half an inch and 1.5 inches of rain had fallen by 10:30 a.m., with heavy rain from thunderstorms continuing. Minor flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage areas is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, forecasters said.
Residents should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action if flash flood warnings are issued, the weather service said. A watch means flooding is possible; a warning means flooding is occurring or imminent.
Motorists should turn around and not drive through flooded roads — most flood deaths occur in vehicles, the weather service said.
