Columbus sits where the Scioto and Olentangy meet, and Alum Creek, Big Walnut Creek and Blacklick Creek drain the east side. Flooding follows low ground near the water, and Franklinton, hardest hit in 1913, is the clearest example. Heavy rain on 19–20 August 2026 brought 4 to 7 inches to parts of Franklin and Licking counties.
Key takeaways
- Franklinton, the low ground across the Scioto from downtown, was hit hardest in the 1913 flood, when the river broke the levee on 25 March.
- The Scioto and Olentangy meet downtown, and Alum Creek, Big Walnut Creek and Blacklick Creek drain the east side.
- The National Weather Service measured 4 to 7 inches of rain in the heaviest areas of Franklin and Licking counties on 19–20 August 2026, with overland and river flooding.
- Griggs, O'Shaughnessy and Hoover reservoirs are operated for water supply, not flood control.
- A standard homeowners policy generally excludes flood from rivers and creeks, which is a separate policy.
- Water that rose from a river or creek is Category 3, the category that calls for the most careful cleanup.
Which parts of Columbus sit closest to the rivers?
Low ground along the Scioto and Olentangy floods first, including the west side across the Scioto from downtown. The east side adds a second risk from its creeks.
The Scioto and the Olentangy meet downtown, so the lowest land around that confluence takes river water first. Franklinton sits across the Scioto from the downtown skyline, and it was the neighborhood hit hardest when the river broke through in 1913. Clintonville has its own ravines and Adena Brook, and water runs down those channels in heavy rain.
The August 2026 warnings named Columbus, Westerville, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, Pickerington, Worthington, Bexley and the Ohio State campus, so flood risk is not confined to one side of town. Pre-war housing in Clintonville, Bexley, Grandview Heights and Old Arlington in Upper Arlington tends to have stone or rubble cellar walls that can weep when the ground is saturated. In those houses the basement is usually where water shows first.
What happened in the 1913 flood?
On 25 March 1913 the Scioto broke the levee protecting the west side, and water ran 9 to 17 feet deep through neighborhoods. About 100 people died in Columbus, and Franklinton was hit hardest.
The break split the city and turned streets into channels. Franklinton became known as 'the Bottoms', a name that describes the low ground it sits on. The Ohio History Connection records the statewide flood, and it is the reference most readers can check for the wider story.
The Franklinton Floodwall was built as the answer. City listings describe concrete sections with spalling and cracking that need patch repairs, and a reach on the east bank between Main Street and the Norfolk Southern/CSX bridge that needs repair. A wall is only as good as its condition, so the repair record matters as much as the wall itself. Read more about the neighborhood on the Franklinton page.
What happened in the August 2026 storms?
On 19–20 August 2026 the National Weather Service measured 4 to 7 inches of rain in the heaviest areas of Franklin and Licking counties. It reported significant overland and river flooding and numerous road closures.
The NWS warnings named Columbus, Westerville, Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, Pickerington, Worthington, Bexley and the Ohio State campus, and forecast Scioto River flooding in southern Franklin County. The rain fell faster than creeks and storm drains could carry it. Overland flooding means water moves across the ground before it reaches any channel, and it can reach a house whether or not a river rose.
The NWS summary gives rainfall, flooding and road closures. It does not give damage counts, so this guide does not offer any. What matters at home is the water category. Water that rose from a river or creek is Category 3 under IICRC S500, and drying still matters quickly, because EPA guidance is to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
Why does the water table matter in Franklin County?
Franklin County sits on glacial till. Bennington soils carry a perched water table about 15 to 30 cm down in normal years, and Pewamo soils in depressions have a seasonal high water table within about 30 cm of the surface from December to May.
That December-to-May window is the season for foundation seepage and wall leaks, even without a storm. A basement can take water through a wall when the ground is saturated, with no pipe or drain involved. The cleanup is the same either way: remove the wet materials that need removing, then dry the structure until readings settle.
Full basements are standard across central Ohio, and the water heater, furnace, electrical panel, washer and floor drain all sit down there. Finished basements add carpet, drywall and stored belongings to the list. A seepage problem that returns each spring needs its source handled separately from the cleanup, and the foundation seepage page explains what the cleanup covers.
Why does the east side flood differently?
Alum Creek, Big Walnut Creek and Blacklick Creek drain the east side, and their water rises during heavy storms. The city is working on specific low spots with storm sewer and pump projects.
The city's stormwater drainage manual names five main streams in and around Columbus: the Scioto, the Olentangy, Alum Creek, Big Walnut Creek and Blacklick Creek. The city says it funds stormwater infrastructure through a stormwater utility fee and holds its own MS4 permit. Current projects include storm sewer upsizing and new pump stations for flooding in the Arena District, near the Scioto and Olentangy confluence.
A drainage project in Old Beechwold, along the Olentangy, aims to reduce street and yard flooding. Watershed volunteer groups work on the creeks too, including Friends of Alum Creek and Tributaries, Friends of Big Walnut Creek and the Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed. Reservoirs are a separate matter. Griggs, O'Shaughnessy and Hoover are run for water supply, not flood control, so they should not be counted on to protect a basement.
Does a standard homeowners policy cover river or creek flooding?
Generally, no. A standard policy responds to sudden, accidental water damage but generally excludes flood from rivers and creeks. Flood is a separate policy, through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer.
Sewer and drain backup is also commonly excluded. The Ohio Department of Insurance lists water damage from sewer backup or a basement leak among typical exclusions on HO-2 through HO-6 forms, so that coverage depends on an added endorsement or rider. Check your own policy and ask your agent, because your insurer decides coverage under your policy terms.
Take photos before anything is moved, stop the water if you safely can, and call your insurer early. The crew can give you moisture readings and photos to share with your claim. If you disagree with how an insurer handled a claim, the Ohio Department of Insurance takes complaints at 800-686-1526. It checks whether the insurer followed policy terms and state insurance law, but it does not settle disputes over how much damage is worth.
How do I check whether my address is in a mapped floodplain?
Look up your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. A neighborhood name, or living near a creek, does not settle the question, because the mapped zone belongs to the address.
Flood zones change as maps are revised, so a neighborhood-level answer is never enough. Once you have the map result, ask your insurer what it means for your policy, and ask whether an endorsement or a separate flood policy is in place. That check is worth doing before a storm rather than after.
Sewer backup is a different problem from river flooding, and Columbus runs its own program for it. Project Dry Basement, which began in 2004, covers eligible single- and two-family homes, including rentals. The city pays for an approved backflow prevention device installed by its certified plumbing contractor, not by the crew. The device only prevents sanitary sewer backups through the basement drain, and it does nothing about seepage through walls or windows. Report a backup to the city within 24 hours, and read the sewer backup guide for the steps.
What should I do first if river or creek water comes into my home?
Keep people and pets out of standing water, and stay away from outlets, the furnace and the electrical panel while water is near them. Treat river and creek water as Category 3, and call for help as early as you can.
Photograph the damage before anything is moved, then start the cleanup. Phones are answered 24/7, and a crew is dispatched as fast as one is available. The emergency stage, which covers extraction and the drying setup, is explained and approved before work begins. Repairs such as drywall and flooring are quoted separately, after someone has seen the wet area, because nobody can price a flood cleanup accurately over the phone. The flood damage cleanup page describes the steps in more detail.
Drying follows a set sequence. The crew checks for hidden moisture with moisture meters and thermal imaging, sets air movers and dehumidifiers, and re-checks readings until materials are dry. Flood cuts, carpet and pad may need removal. Mold after flooding is a separate job. EPA guidance says a moldy area under about 10 square feet can usually be cleaned by the homeowner, while larger areas, sewage-related mold and mold in HVAC need professional help. Mold can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in some people. Older homes may contain asbestos in joint compound or old floor tile, and pre-1978 homes may have lead paint, so check with Ohio EPA and your local health district before any demolition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my address in a floodplain?
Look up your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows the mapped flood zone for a specific property. Living near the Scioto, the Olentangy or a creek does not answer the question by itself. Flood zones can change, so check the current map rather than an old notice. Ask your insurer what the result means for your coverage.
Does Project Dry Basement stop flooding from the river?
No. The city's program installs a backflow prevention device on a basement drain, and that device only prevents sanitary sewer backups through the drain. It does not stop seepage through walls or windows, and it does not stop river or overland flooding. Report a backup to the city within 24 hours, and check eligibility with the City of Columbus.
How quickly does mold start after a flood?
EPA guidance is to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold, which is why drying starts as soon as a crew can get there. The crew re-checks moisture readings until materials are dry. Mold can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in some people. A moldy area under about 10 square feet can usually be cleaned by the homeowner, while larger jobs need professional help.
Does Ohio license flood cleanup companies?
Ohio has no state license specific to water mitigation, which covers extraction and drying. Plumbing is different, because the state licenses commercial plumbing contractors and city building departments handle residential registration. Ask any company which certifications its technicians hold, and ask it to show the license that applies to the work. Ohio does not license mold remediation the way some states do.
How fast can a crew arrive after I call?
Phones are answered 24/7, and a crew is dispatched as fast as one is available. No arrival time can be promised, because dispatch depends on availability and conditions. Start the safety steps while you wait, and keep people and pets out of standing water. The emergency stage is explained and approved before work begins.
Could a flood like 1913 happen again?
No one can promise when the next flood will come, and the answer depends on rain and river levels. The Franklinton Floodwall exists, but city listings describe repair needs on its concrete sections. Reservoirs are run for water supply, not flood control. Heavy rain can flood a basement through creek and storm drain overflow even when no river rises.
Sources
- City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities
- City of Columbus, stormwater capital projects
- City of Columbus, Project Dry Basement
- National Weather Service, Wilmington
- City of Columbus, Stormwater Drainage Manual
This guide is general information for Franklin County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.