Roads across Hamilton County remain closed from high water after storms that struck Aug. 13-14, and state transportation officials are urging Sharonville, Springdale, Evendale and Woodlawn drivers to avoid flooded roadways entirely.
ODOT Cincinnati posted the warning on Aug. 14, confirming closures "throughout the region" and reminding motorists that even shallow standing water can be deadly.
"It only takes a small amount of water to create a dangerous situation," the agency said. "Don't test the waters."
ODOT's District 8 covers Hamilton County along with Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Warren and Butler counties. The agency's social media account is not monitored around the clock; drivers can check real-time closures on Ohio's OHGO app at ohgo.com.
Nine county roads were closed mid-week
Hamilton County Engineer Eric Beck told county commissioners on Aug. 13, that about nine county roadways were still closed at mid-day, with crews cutting and removing downed trees while waiting on Duke Energy to clear power lines from rights-of-way.
"We have been out there continuously ... clearing the roads," Beck said.
As of Aug. 15, Lawrenceburg Road in western Hamilton County remained closed between Suspension Bridge Road and Stephens, between US 50 and Miamiview, and between Stateline and Brooks, according to WVXU's live coverage.
Corridor communities named in flood warning
WCPO reported that Sharonville and Springdale were among locations that may experience flooding during the Aug. 14 warning. No specific street-level closures within Sharonville, Springdale, Evendale or Woodlawn have been confirmed publicly.
The storms are the second round of flooding to hit the corridor in 10 days. As we reported Aug. 8, Mill Creek topped flood stage in Evendale on Aug. 7 after storms dumped up to 2.5 inches of rain, creating hazardous conditions on I-75 and I-71.
Disaster declaration under review
Hamilton County EMA Director Nick Crossley told commissioners on Aug. 13 that the agency was coordinating with Ohio EMA on a possible disaster declaration, calling the event "basically a statewide event" unlike the more localized flooding two weeks earlier. At least 18 people were displaced in the Harrison area, and emergency crews rescued at least one resident by boat.
The Whitewater River evacuation order for western Hamilton County was lifted at 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 14, but the Hamilton County EMA cautioned that some roads may still be closed and urged residents to follow posted barricades and never drive through flooded roadways.
What drivers should do
Corridor residents should treat any standing water on roadways as impassable. Check ohgo.com or call local police non-emergency lines for the latest on specific road conditions in Sharonville, Springdale, Evendale and Woodlawn.
