As a result of this week's pounding rain, Ohio University Grounds Maintenance issued a flood watch, but said there is a 3-foot cushion before the Hocking River reaches the bike path.
The flood-watch policy is to notify every department on campus that flooding is possible, and plans for relocating valuables should be reviewed, said Terry Conry, director of Facilities Management.
Thirty-two buildings and residence halls on East, West and South greens are among the low-lying areas in the flood plain.
Students on South and East greens said they had noticed the height of the river but had not heard about the issued watch or immediate flooding.
Kaelly Harper and Ryan Schaad, both residents of Pickering Hall, asked if classes would be canceled.
Others such as Christian Grenvik said he anticipates students riding bikes and rafts through East Green if the street floods like it did Fall Quarter.
OU policy says the university will only close for level three emergencies, which are issued by the sheriff, said Jack Jeffery, media specialist for Communications and Marketing. Students are advised to look for weather updates on the Front Door of OU's Web site.
The mayor's office issued a statement yesterday saying the bike path is closed due to dangerous water levels posing a health and safety hazard.
The river should crest this morning between 8 a.m. and noon depending on the climate and type of weather, said Terry Courtney, secretary treasurer of Hocking Valley Conservancy District. Hocking Valley Conservancy District was responsible for rechanneling the Hocking in 1970 to protect Athens and the university.
According to Scalia Lab's Forecaster Mike McMasters, The National Weather Service updated Athens to a river flood warning yesterday at 1:30 p.m. Athens flood stage is 20 feet, and by noon, it had reached 21.6 feet. The river should crest at 23 to 24 feet and fall below its flood stage Saturday afternoon.
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Carolyn Casey
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A car crosses the Hocking River on Route 681 yesterday near The Plains.
