Flash Flooding and Flooding in Ohio, February 28, 2011

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Richland County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to three inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from stranded vehicles. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding, including State Route 13 on the north side of Mansfield and State Route 96 to the north of the city. Officially 2.12 inches of rain was measured at Mansfield Lahm Airport. A spotter near Lucas reported 2.72 inches of rainfall.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Marion County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to three inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from stranded vehicles. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding. Officially 2.78 inches of rain was measured at the Marion Airport.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Morrow County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to three inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from stranded vehicles. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Knox County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to three inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Holmes County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to three inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding. The Killbuck Creek crested at 18.07 feet, the eight highest height on record. South end of Millersburg and western portions of the Killbuck sustained flood damage.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Ashland County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to three inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the the flooding.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Wayne County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to two inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding. Officially 1.53 inches of rain was measured at the Wooster Airport.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Lorain County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to three inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from stranded vehicles. At least 100 people were evacuated from around 50 homes in North Ridgeville and Avon Lake. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding. Officially 2.24 inches of rain was measured at the Lorain County Airport.

Much of Bellville was closed part of the day as water flooded the village's east side. Water surrounded the elementary school and covered the township garage as the Clear Fork rose out of banks. Around 60 water rescues were reported in the Mansfield area. Water damaged commercial businesses around 5th and Main Streets. The main Post Office in Mansfield was flooded.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid rise in the Sandusky River at Bucyrus, which reached a 100 year crest of 10.86 feet. The only official rainfall observation was in Galion where 2.38 was reported. Six to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from homes and vehicles as the water came up. About 30 homes in Bucyrus were flooded as the Sandusky River came out of banks. Countyline Road was one of the most affected areas where at least a dozen homes were damaged. Several dozen new cars were destroyed as flood waters inundated a car dealership. Several homes flooded as well in Galion.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Hancock County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to three inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from stranded vehicles. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding, mainly in downtown Findlay. The Blanchard River reached 16.42 feet,the 6th highest crest of record. Both the Lye and Eagle Creeks reached major flood stages as well. Officially Mt. Blanchard observed 2.32 inches of rain, with Findlay reporting 2.08 inches.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid rise in the Sandusky River at Bucyrus, which reached a 100 year crest of 10.86 feet. The only official rainfall observation was in Galion where 2.38 was reported. Six to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from homes and vehicles as the water came up. About 30 homes in Bucyrus were flooded as the Sandusky River came out of banks. Countyline Road was one of the most affected areas where at least a dozen homes were damaged. Several dozen new cars were destroyed as flood waters inundated a car dealership.

A motorist on South Norwalk Road entered flooded waters of a tributary of the Huron River, Cole Creek, in the town of Norwalk. The car was washed into the creek where the driver was killed. Witness report water depths of 2 to 3 feet over the bridge at time of incident.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid runoff and road flooding across Medina County Rainfall observation show 2-2.5 fell during the early morning hours of February 28th. Six to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from vehicles as the water came up. Some of the roads that were flooded were mainly in the cities of Medina and Wadsworth.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid rise in the Cuyahoga River in Summit County which reached moderate flood stage at Old Portage. One to two inches of rainfall fell during the overnight hours of the 27th into the 28th, and combined with six to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground resulted in rapid runoff. Several people had be rescued from homes and vehicles as the water came up. One rescue worker suffered hypothermia rescuing a motorists floating away in flood waters in Northfield Center.

Portions of the Heidelberg University campus in Tiffin and the local YMCA were flooded as Rock Creek came out of it's banks. Waist deep water was reported in the Clinton Mobile Home park. The Riverbend Apartments experienced flooding in the lower-level apartments. At least 30 vehicles were damaged by flooding on the Heidelberg campus. Two drivers were rescued from submerged vehicles on county road 16 in Bloomville. One rescue occurred at US 224 just east of county road 17. Additional water rescues occurred at SR 19, CR 16, and TR 218.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Cuyahoga County. Rainfall totals across the county averaged 2 inches. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Dozens of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding. Several schools in North Royalton received considerable damage.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid rise in the Riley Creek at Bluffton in southern Hancock County. Six to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Rainfall totals averaged 1 to 2 inches during the early morning hours of the 28th. Several people had to be evacuated from their homes as the creek came out of banks by noon. Several businesses and homes were flooded, including the local schools.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid rise in the Grand River at Painesville, which reached moderate flood stage with a crest of 13.29 feet. Rainfall reports across the basin ranged from 1.6 to 2.2 which fell mainly during the early morning hours of February 28th. Six to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Over 100 homes in and around Painesville had to be evacuated because of the rising flood waters. In Fairport Harbor several homes near the Grand River had flooded basements. Numerous roads across the county were flooded.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid rise in the Tuscarawas River and the Nimishillen Creek. The Nimishillen Creek reached a 100 year flood stage and it's second highest crest on record of 12.96 feet. Rainfall observations across the county ranged from 1.5-2 which fell mainly during the morning of the 28th. Six to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Reports that 40 to 50 people people had be rescued from homes and vehicles as the water came up.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a widspread flooding across portions of Mahoning County. Rainfall reports in the county ranged from 1.5 to 1.75. Around six inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several residents had to be rescued or evacuated primarily in the Poland and and Hubbard areas. Numerous homes received flooded basements.

More than 127 sites on Huron County roads needed repairs after flood waters caused erosion damage. Along with severe roadside erosion, many culverts and small bridges were washed out from the flooding.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid rise in the Clear Fork at Lexington. Six to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain which measured between 1.5-2. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several homes and businesses were impacted by the flood waters which climbed quickly, with reports of water levels 4 feet high on the first floor of a church on Lexington Avenue.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a flooding over Grand Rapids in Wood County. Around two inches of rainfall fell on six inches of heavy snow was on the ground. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Small streams and creeks overran their banks, flooding low lying portions of Grand Rapids. Backup in the town storm water and sewer systems were reported to have caused some of the flooding issued as well. The only property damage reported was minor basement flooding.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid rise in the Mahoning River in Trumbull County. Official river forecast points of Leavittsburg and Warren obseved moderate flooding, while a small tributary Eagle Creek at Braceveille saw major flooding. Heavy rainfall and around six inches of heavy snowmelt lead to the river rise. Several people had be rescued from homes and vehicles as the water came up.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid rise in rivers and streams across Ashtabula County. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 2.25 fell on top of six to ten inches of heavy snow. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Small streams and creeks came out of banks flooding farmland, roads, and a few homes.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to a rapid runoff and flooded roads across Sandusky County. An average of two inches of rainfall fell on top of six to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from vehicles as the water came up. Some homes south and north of Fremont experienced basement flooding. Roads that were closed because of flooding from rivers and creeks include OH 19 between Fremont and Oak Harbor, OH 105, US 23, OH 5282. Local roads included South River Road, Haynes Street, and Fulton Streets.

Heavy rainfall and rapid snow melt on the morning of Februar 28th resulted in a the Gates Mill dam failing. This low head dam was located along the Chagrin River in the town of Gates Mill. The released flood waters caused no additional damage from the ongoing flooding downstream on the Chagrin, which was already at moderate flood levels.