Flash Flooding in Ohio, May 21, 2004

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Wyandot County and dumped up to an inch of rain on already saturated ground. Streams and rivers in flood or close to flood quickly rose forcing the closure several roads. Many homes and businesses sustained damage from the flooding.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Lorain County and dumped an inch or more of rain on already saturated ground. For the second time in twelve hours, flash flooding occurred in the county as streams and rivers once again quickly rose. Dozens of roads were flooded and had to be closed. Over a dozens of vehicles were stranded in the flood waters and hundreds of homes sustained damage from lowland or basement flooding.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Cuyahoga County and dumped an inch or more of rain on already saturated ground. Widespread urban and lowland flooding occurred as several small streams and creeks left their banks. Baldwin Creek flooded on the northwest side of North Royalton damaging 73 homes and forcing the closure of several roads. Significant flooding was also reported in Garfield Heights where several streets had to be closed because of flood waters up to two feet deep. Many street closures were reported elsewhere in the county. Dozens of vehicles were stranded in the flood waters and hundreds of homes experienced basement flooding.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Marion County and dumped heavy rain on already saturated ground. Spotters reported between one and two inches of rain during the afternoon storms. Streams and rivers in flood or close to flood quickly rose forcing the closure of several roads. State Route 309 near Marion had to be closed because of flood waters greater than a foot deep. Many homes and businesses sustained damage from the flooding.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Medina County and dumped an inch or more of rain on already saturated ground. For the second time in twelve hours, flash flooding occurred in the county as streams and rivers quickly rose. This time, the central and southern portions of the county were hardest hit. Dozens of roads were flooded and had to be closed. Several vehicles were stranded in the flood waters and hundreds of homes sustained damage from lowland or basement flooding.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Wayne County during the late afternoon hours and was quickly followed by a second round of storms. Torrential rain fell as this series of storms moved through. Spotters indicated that as much as two inches of rain fell in an hour. The Rittman area saw the worst flooding. Water as much as waist deep filled portions of the town. Many homes and businesses had to be evacuated. A strip mall was heavily damaged after water outside the mall accumulated to over three feet in depth in less than 30 minutes. The glass store fronts in the mall gave way under the weight of the flood waters and flooded the building in minutes. Dozens of roads in northern Wayne County were either washed out or flooded. Hundreds of homes and vehicles were damaged.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Knox County and dumped heavy rains on already saturated ground. Spotters reported between one and two inches of rain fell during the afternoon storms. Many streams and rivers in the county quickly went into flood forcing the closure of several roads. At least four bridges in the county were washed out. Flashing flooding near Apple Valley caused a retaining wall to fail. Many homes and businesses sustained damage from the flooding.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Ashtabula County during the late afternoon hours and was quickly followed by a second round of storms. Torrential rain fell as this series of storms moved through. Spotters measured as much as four inches of rain in the southeastern corner of the county. Widespread flooding occurred across southern and central Ashtabula County as several streams and creeks quickly filled and left their banks. Three Brothers Creek went into flood south of Jefferson and washed out a section of State Route 46 between Webster and Holcomb roads just after 7 p.m. Spotters in the area measured 2.25 inches of rain during the storms. Numerous road closures were reported elsewhere in the county with dozens of homes and vehicles damaged by the flood waters. Flood waters were reported to be as much as three feet deep on a couple roads.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Richland County and dumped heavy rain on already saturated ground. Spotters reported that over an inch of rain fell during the afternoon storm. For the day, 1.62 inches of rain was recorded at Mansfield Lahm Airport. Streams and rivers in the county quickly rose forcing the closure of several roads, including a couple state routes. A road was washed out just east of Lexington. Many homes and businesses sustained damage from the flooding.