Evacuation order issued for Buckeye Lake residents west of SR 79 due to flooding

The Village of Buckeye Lake has issued a mandatory evacuation order Aug. 20 for its residents as the South Fork Licking River is forecast to reach a record height due to overnight rains that caused massive flooding throughout central Ohio. The evacuation order was issued at 8 p.m. Aug. 20 and will r

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The Village of Buckeye Lake has issued a mandatory evacuation order Aug. 20 for its residents as the South Fork Licking River is forecast to reach a record height due to overnight rains that caused massive flooding throughout central Ohio.

The evacuation order was issued at 8 p.m. Aug. 20 and will remain in effect for the next 24 hours or until Mayor Linda Goodman decides to lift it, according to an announcement on the village's Facebook page. The order applies to all properties west of State Route 79 within the Village of Buckeye Lake.

Interstate 70 westbound of State Route 79. All of central Ohio has been wracked with heavy flooding from overnight rainfall.

"Due to the already rising height of the river at 881.54 feet, combined with the forecasted cresting of 883.50 feet, the South Fork of Licking River will continue to directly affect the area," the village said.

The order encouraged residents to pack essential items, including medications, documents, and personal belongings. Food and lodging are being coordinated between the Catholic Church, the Licking County Emergency Management Association, and the Red Cross, according to the announcement.

Residents who cannot relocate temporarily to be with family can stay at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church located at 5133 Walnut Road SE in Buckeye Lake.

If transportation is needed, residents can call the Village Municipal Office at 740-928-7100. Buses are also available to transport people to shelter, the village said.

Flooding further north along South Fork Licking Lake has already prompted the closure of east and westbound lanes of Interstate 70 in Licking County until sometime Friday, Aug. 21. A flood warning had also been issued earlier for the Village of Buckeye Lake by the National Weather Service's Wilmington office. Flooding will continue through the overnight hours and into the morning of Aug. 21, the weather service said.

Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Evacuation order issued for Buckeye Lake residents west of SR 79 due to flooding