Sections of East State Street are underwater after the Hocking River rose more than two feet over its 20-foot flood stage Thursday morning.
According to the National Weather Service’s advanced hydrologic prediction service, the river was at 22.5 feet as of 10 a.m. Thursday. That means the river is at “moderate flooding” stage and is expected to crest at 1 p.m.
East State Street is closed between Kroger and the Ohio University Credit Union and between the Market on State and Cook Drive. West State Street Park is also closed until further notice, according to a city news release.
Multiple businesses, including the Fairfield Inn & Suites and Hampton Inn on East State Street, are closed but expect to reopen tomorrow, according to a tweet from the Visit Athens Twitter account. Moms Weekend reservations at the hotels should not be affected by the flooding.
Sections of the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway will also be closed until the water recedes.
