Assisted-living facility evacuates residents

A Columbus independent living community is evacuating around 20 residents due to flooding. Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Dept., says a nearby retention pond and its overflow is full, and water is approaching the the Green Tree Assisted Living facility, located at 4745 Pine Ridge Drive.

Firefighters arrived on the scene at 3:46 p.m. Thursday. Although no water entered the facility, firefighters requested a precautionary evacuation of the ground floor residents. Wilson says the Columbus Department of Public Works has deployed to pump trucks to the scene to aid in lowering the water level of the retention pond.

Firefighters will remain on the scene until all ground floor residents have been relocated. Authorities say many affected residents will be staying with family members.