Flood Warning Extended for Killbuck Creek in Holmes, Wayne Counties
Killbuck Creek flooding forces road closures in Holmes and Wayne counties as water levels remain above flood stage through Friday.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — The National Weather Service extended a flood warning for Killbuck Creek near Killbuck until Friday afternoon, as minor flooding continues to impact several roads in Holmes and Wayne counties.
The creek reached 16.1 feet Wednesday night, above the 15.0-foot flood stage, according to NWS Cleveland. Water levels peaked at 16.6 feet Wednesday morning before beginning a gradual decline.
“Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast,” the weather service reported in its latest advisory issued Wednesday at 11:14 p.m.
Road Closures and Impacts
Flooded roadways include Water Street in the Village of Killbuck, County Road 621, State Route 60 south, and State Route 520. Local low-lying roads throughout the area remain impassable due to standing water.
At the 16.0-foot level, multiple transportation routes become hazardous for motorists. The flooding has created dangerous driving conditions that officials warn could persist through Friday morning.
Water Levels and Forecast
The Killbuck Creek is expected to drop below flood stage late Friday morning and continue falling to 12.2 feet by Monday evening, weather service forecasters said. The current crest matches a previous high-water mark of 16.1 feet recorded on July 12, 1986.
Earlier Wednesday, the creek had reached 16.4 feet at 3:00 p.m., which compared to a historical crest of 16.4 feet from May 5, 1983. The morning reading of 16.6 feet matched flood levels last seen on April 1, 2013.
Safety Precautions
The National Weather Service urges residents to avoid driving through flooded roads and to stay informed about changing conditions. Officials emphasize that water levels can change rapidly during flood events.
The flood warning remains in effect until 5:00 p.m. Friday for the Killbuck Creek basin. Residents in affected areas should monitor local conditions and heed any evacuation orders or road closure announcements from local authorities.
The weather service provides additional flood safety and preparedness information at www.weather.gov/safety/flood for residents in flood-prone areas.
