Overnight rain swamped I-71 near Frank Road on Aug. 20, shutting down the interstate in both directions and cutting off a major commute route for Hilliard residents heading into Columbus.

Columbus police closed I-71 between I-70 and I-270 due to high water on the roadway, NBC4 reported. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office confirmed on X that both northbound and southbound lanes were fully closed at the I-270 interchange near Grove City.

The interstate remains closed.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for Franklin County at approximately 4:45 a.m. Thursday, valid until 8 p.m. The warning also covered Fairfield and Licking counties. Rain totals reached two inches by Thursday morning, with forecasters expecting totals to exceed four inches before the rain tapered off around 8 a.m.

Beyond I-71, 10TV reported dozens of major roadways closed across central Ohio. The City of Columbus activated the Franklinton floodwall at 8:10 a.m. and installed floodgates on Greenlawn Avenue and Harmon Avenue. Greenlawn Avenue closed between Front Street and Harmon Avenue, and the ramps from I-71 to Greenlawn Avenue were shut down.

The Ohio Department of Transportation was tracking up to nine traffic incidents in Franklin County as of Thursday morning.

Emergency crews responded to water rescues near downtown Columbus, North Linden, Grove City and Gahanna. The flooding also triggered multiple medical emergencies and school delays across the region, though Hilliard City Schools were not among the districts listed as closed or delayed.

No agency has announced a timeline for reopening I-71 near Frank Road or at the I-270 interchange.

The Columbus Dispatch published a full list of road closures, noting that conditions can change without notice. The flash flood emergency remains in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday, and ODOT advises drivers to avoid standing water and check traffic updates before traveling.