OHIO VALLEY — Flood warnings remain in effect across portions of the Ohio Valley Thursday following heavy rainfall that has left already saturated areas vulnerable to additional flooding.
Several flash flood warnings issued earlier Thursday have since been replaced by flood warnings as high water continues to affect parts of the region.
A flood warning remains in effect until 2 p.m. for Muskingum and western Guernsey counties. Another warning covering eastern Guernsey, western Belmont, southern Harrison and northeastern Noble counties remains in effect until 2:30 p.m.
A separate flood warning for eastern Belmont County, Ohio County, northern Marshall County and portions of Brooke, Jefferson and Harrison counties remains in effect until 2 p.m.
Earlier Thursday, between 1 and 2 inches of rain had fallen across portions of western Belmont, southern Harrison, eastern Guernsey and northeastern Noble counties, with additional rainfall possible.
Areas of Muskingum and west-central Guernsey counties had received between 1 and 3 inches of rain, with additional rainfall also possible.
Recent rainfall has left the ground saturated in parts of the Ohio Valley, increasing the potential for flooding in low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage.
A broader flood watch also remained in effect through 2 p.m. Thursday. In Ohio, the watch included Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble and Tuscarawas counties.
In West Virginia, Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Pleasants, Tyler and Wetzel counties were included.
Residents should remain alert for changing conditions and avoid driving through flooded roadways. Water covering a roadway can be deeper or moving faster than it appears.
River News will continue to follow flooding conditions across the Ohio Valley as warnings and watches are updated.
