The Village of Buckeye Lake issued a mandatory Buckeye Lake evacuation order beginning Thursday, August 20 at 8 p.m., as floodwaters continue climbing toward a forecast crest that officials say threatens lives.

The rain has stopped. The water has not.

What the Order Covers

According to a Facebook post from the village, the order applies to all properties west of the SR79 and SR360 intersection within village limits.

It remains in effect for 24 hours unless the mayor lifts it sooner.

The trigger is the South Fork of the Licking River, which is forecast to crest at 883.50 feet. At the time of the announcement, the river stood at 881.54 feet, meaning roughly two more feet of rise was still expected.

Officials described the evacuation as mandatory specifically to protect residents’ lives in the affected area.

I-70 Shut Down

Floodwaters covered Interstate 70 near Buckeye Lake, forcing closure in both directions.

The Ohio Department of Transportation reports that water has reached a level observed only twice before in the past decade.

The flood gauge near I-70 is not expected to drop below flood stage until roughly 11 p.m. Saturday. The interstate is projected to stay closed in both directions until at least 5 p.m. Friday, with any reopening dependent on the condition of the roadway once water recedes.

That last point matters. Floodwater can undermine pavement and damage the roadbed beneath it, requiring inspection before traffic returns even after the surface clears.

Neighbors Working Together

Along North Bank Road Northeast, residents have been helping one another move belongings to higher ground and clearing space so vehicles can be parked away from the water.

John Winkle, who lives near the lake, described conditions he has never witnessed before.

He said he had never seen the water reach that far and was concerned about it creeping closer. His assessment of the situation was that water moving from one flooded area simply spreads into the next, without really going anywhere.

Juliet Barnhart summarized the approach neighbors have adopted: they are preparing for the worst.

Damage Already Occurring

Several residents have experienced property loss as the water rises, including boats breaking free from their lifts.

Barnhart noted that her family is fortunate to sit on slightly higher ground, and described neighbors sharing driveways so others in the area have somewhere to move vehicles.

Frustration Building

The practical strain is showing.

Barnhart acknowledged that some people are growing frustrated by traffic, or by the lack of ways to move around the area, and by the sheer volume of work required to protect homes and possessions. Tempers, she said, are rising.

That reaction is common during slow-moving flood events. Unlike a tornado or a fire, flooding gives people time to watch it approach, which extends the stress rather than concentrating it.

Why Rivers Keep Rising After Rain Stops

Residents often find it confusing that water continues climbing under clear skies.

River levels reflect what falls across an entire watershed, not just what falls locally. Rain that landed miles upstream takes hours or days to travel downstream, meaning the crest arrives well after the storm has passed.

Saturated ground compounds the effect, since soil that can no longer absorb water sends all of it into streams and tributaries.

What Residents Should Do

For anyone under an evacuation order, the guidance is direct:

• Leave when told to, not after conditions worsen
• Take medications, important documents, phone chargers and a few days of essentials
• Do not drive through standing water on the way out
• Tell someone where you are going
• Do not return until officials confirm it is safe

Anyone traveling in the region should plan alternate routes and expect delays given the interstate closure.

The Longer Recovery

Even after the river falls below flood stage Saturday night, the work will continue.

Structures that took on water require assessment for electrical and structural safety. Mold becomes a concern within days. Roadways need inspection. Insurance claims begin.

For now, the Buckeye Lake evacuation stands, the water keeps climbing, and neighbors along the lake are doing what they can with the hours they have.