Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Ohio, July 10 to 12, 2013

Over two weeks of consecutive rain was peaked by torrential rain on the 9th and 10th of July where brought widespread flooding to Richland County. The most impacted towns were Shelby, Mansfield, Ontario, Lexington, Bellville and Butler with reported damage to homes and businesses. There was some road damage due to fast moving water. Major flooding at the Pleasant Hill Marina and lake caused evacuation of all campers and boats in that area. Radar estimates put the average rainfall in the county around 4 inches in 48 hours, with locally higher amounts of 6 to 8 inches. The heaviest rain fell over the Black and Clear Forks of the Mohican River, which resulted in widespread flooding for communities along those bodies of water. The period of flooding occurred during peak tourist season and resulted in a notably monetary loss as the river and surrounding campsites were closed for recreational sports.

Quarter to half dollar sized hail damaged some cars on the Ohio Turnpike.

Thunderstorm winds uprooted trees throughout Erie County. The roof was blown off of a small business in North Monroeville.

Penny sized hail was observed.

Penny sized hail was observed.

A swath of quarter sized hail was observed.

Hail the size of quarters was observed.

Thunderstorm winds downed many large tree limbs. County Road 140 and U.S. Route 224 had to be closed because of downed power lines.

A weak EF1 tornado touched down in rural Reed Township near the intersection of County Road 27 and Township Road 122. The tornado continued intermittently on the ground for about six miles before crossing into Huron County. Damage along the damage path consisted mainly of downed trees, although some structures did sustain significant damage. Several barns lost sections of roofing. One home near the initial touchdown had a second story wall partially collapse. The attached garage on one home lost its garage door and was lifted from its foundation. There was also evidence of extensive straight wind damage along the path. Crop damage, especially to corn, was significant.

Penny to quarter sized hail was observed.

Golf ball sized hail was observed. Some vehicles were damaged.

Quarter sized hail was observed.

Penny to quarter sized hail was observed.

Quarter sized hail was observed.

Thunderstorm winds tore some roofing material off of a house.

Quarter sized hail was reported.

Thunderstorm winds estimated at more than 60 mph downed several trees and blew down or heavily damaged three barns on Poe Road west of Bowling Green.

The towns of Milan, Oxford, and Groton townships were the most impacated by the heavy rains of July 10th. Doppler radar estimates between 3 and 4 inches of rain fell within an hour and a half with strong storms that moved through Erie County. Flooding was so widespread that local and county officials were advising the public to stay off the roads. The major thru ways of Ohio 113, Ohio 99, and U.S. 250 were closed. Drivers trying to circumvent the area were left with few options, as most of the surrounding roads had varying degrees of flooding. Portions of Patten Tract, Mason, Strecker, Ransom, Thomas and Kelley roads were overrun with pools of inches-deep water. A few homes were inundated in the first floor by flood waters, but the majority of the home flood damage was the result of basement flooding.

Quarter sized hail was observed.

A weak EF1 tornado crossed into Huron County from Seneca County near the intersection of State Route 269 and Section Line Road. The tornado then continued intermittently on the ground for about four miles before lifting near the Bellevue Reservoir. Damage along the path in Huron County consisted of mainly downed trees. There was also evidence of extensive straight line wind damage along the path. Crop damage, especially to corn, was significant.

Penny sized hail was observed.

Quarter sized hail was observed.

Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few large tree limbs.

A trained spotter measured a 65 mph thunderstorm wind gust. Dozens of trees were toppled or snapped and three semi trucks were blown over on Interstate 75 just south of U.S. Route 6. No injuries were reported.

Quarter sized hail was observed.

Heavy rains that moved over Lorain County most notably impacted the La Grange area in the southeast portion of the county. In this area radar estimates around 2 inches of rain fell within 45 minutes. Floating cars were reported on Whitehead and Whitney roads, causing the intersection to close. At least one home was significantly inundated, while a half dozen other homes had flooding in their basements.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees and large limbs.

Thunderstorm downburst winds downed dozens of trees along the Wood and Sandusky County line. In one area, a 300 yard long row of trees was completely flattened.

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and flattened a barn. Corn in nearby fields was also flattened.

A trained spotter estimated thunderstorm winds at 60 mph. A 3 foot diameter tree was toppled.

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees. At least one home was damaged by a fallen tree.

A line of thunderstorms producing winds in excess of 70 mph raced east across Seneca County causing significant damage. Thousands of trees and limbs were downed across the county and large swaths of corn were flattened in fields. Nearly every community in the county sustained damage and hundreds of homes and buildings were damaged. Over two dozen farm buildings were leveled in the county. The Bellevue area was especially hard hit with damage reported on nearly every street. At least a half dozen homes in the city were heavily damaged by fallen trees and dozens of others sustained lesser damage, mainly from lost roofing or siding. Businesses on Main Street had windows blown out and nearly the entire town lost power for an extended period. It took almost five days for power to be fully restored. Houses were also heavily damaged by fallen trees in Fremont and Clyde. Many vehicles were damaged as well. Scattered damage was also observed in the rural portions of the county. Power outages affecting traffic signals and roads closed by downed trees severely hampered travel in the county after this storm. At least four people had to rescued after they became stranded in their vehicles by downed power lines. U.S Route 20 was closed in several locations. Clean up costs from this storm were substantial. Ten townships, four villages and two cities applied for nearly $1 million in disaster relief.

A line of thunderstorms producing winds estimated to be around 70 mph raced east across Seneca County causing widespread damage. Hundreds of trees were snapped or toppled. A lot of damage to homes and buildings was also observed. Most of this damage was from lost roofing or siding but some outbuildings were also flattened. A lot of tree damage was reported on the south side of Fostoria. A line of 15 utility poles was knocked down northeast of Republic. The damage was especially heavy in the northeast corner of the county from Reedtown north to Flat Rock. A lot of downed trees were also reported in the Attica area. Several vehicles were reported damaged in the county. Power outages were reported throughout the county. It took several days for power to be fully restored, especially across the northeast corner of the county. Many roads had to be closed because of downed trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm winds toppled at least three trees and flattened some corn in a field.

Torrential rain with fell on July 10th over mainly southern portions of Sandusky County with radar estimates around 3 inches fell in 1.5 hours. Widespread rapidly developing flooding occurred. Bellevue Police reported most of the town was flooded with several cars stuck in the water. State RT 105, U.S. 6 between U.S. 23 and State Rt. 53, Route 53 near the Ohio Turnpike, and State Rt. 19 near County Road 213 were closed from the flooding.

Heavy rainfall over and upstream of the Copley Township community in Summit County produced significant flooding. Torrential rainfall of an estimated 4 inches per hour fell over the area in the afternoon hours of the 10th. This was the 17th consecutive day of rain, so runoff was high as the grounds were saturated. In all, the township has a list of 37 residents who experienced damage and loss from the flooding, most notably on the Sunnyacres Road area where a flooded storm water ditch overflowed.

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees across the county.

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees across the county.

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

An EF0 tornado touched down on the southwest edge of Bellevue just north of the intersection of Flat Rock Road and Kilbourne Street. The tornado continued east northeast for just over three quarters of a mile and lifted near the intersection of Gardner and Kilbourne Streets. The tornado may have been at tree top level because most of the damage was confined to trees and rooftops. Many homes sustained minor damage, mainly from lost roofing and siding. One house did lose the fencing on a second story porch and another home had the door on an attached garage blown in. Several homes also sustained significant damage from fallen trees. Evidence of downburst winds was observed throughout Bellevue so some of this damage was likely from a combination of tornadic and straight line winds.

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees.

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees across the county.

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees across the county.

On Wednesday afternoon, July 10, the City of Akron experienced 3 to 4 inches of rain in an hour and a half. Flooding occurred causing the closings of roadways and expressways. Along with the roadway flooding, the City received reports of nearly 200 flooded basements. Widespread flooding was reported throughout the city and numerous homes, businesses, and vehicles were inundated by the rain.

Thunderstorm winds were estimated at 60 mph. A few trees were downed.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees.

Quarter sized hail was observed.

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 mph downed many trees.

Thunderstorm downburst winds were measured at 64 mph by an automated sensor at Burke Lakefront Airport. The strong winds tore a section of roofing off of Cleveland City Hall. A brick and block wall was also toppled at a nearby subway station.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few large tree limbs.

A thunderstorm downburst downed many trees and large limbs. The damage started in the Bailey Lakes area and then continued east for a few miles. Scattered power outages were reported throughout northern Ashland County.

Thunderstorm winds were estimated to be at least 60 mph. Several trees were reported down in the Mansfield and Lexington areas.

Penny sized hail was observed.

Flash flooding was reported along Route 91 near Summit County fairgrounds. At least 2 cars swept off road into ditches. Water was up to roof of cars. The city received about 10 reports of basement floodings.

Penny sized hail was observed.

A weak EF0 tornado touched down west of Rowsburg near the intersection of County Roads 1302 and 251. The tornado continued east southeast for about a mile before dissipating on the north end of Rowsburg. The damage path indicates that the tornado was probably intermittent and at tree top level. A barn was toppled near the beginning of the damage path and a house in Rowsburg was also heavily damaged by fallen trees. The barn appears to have been toppled from a combination of tornadic and straight line winds. Five livestock animals were killed in the barn collapse with several more injured. Many trees were downed along the damage path and large swaths of corn were flattened. The damage path from the tornado was no more than 15 yards wide but damage from the accompanying straight line downburst winds was more than a half mile in width at times. The damage path was a little over a mile in length.

Thunderstorm winds snapped five trees. One of the fallen trees blocked a road.

Thunderstorm winds downed between 40 and 50 trees in Brookfield Township.

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees.

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees across the county.

Thunderstorm winds downed on tree that blocked Wagar Road.

Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs.

Penny sized hail was observed.

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees in Sharon Township.

Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines throughout Knox County.

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few large tree limbs on the north side of Wooster.

Torrential rainfall on July 10th ended the streek of 13 days of measurable rain in the Barberton-Norton region, and ending it with the highest rainfall amounts measuring during that time. Almost seven inches of rain fell in the two weeks prior, and on the 10th rainfall amounts in the basin measured between 2 to 3 inches which fell in the hour between 230 and 330 PM. This extreme rainfall rate fell over already saturated ground and swollen stream and creeks, resulting in rapid runoff and flooding. Heavy rainfall of this magnitude overwhelmed the existing stormwater systems with extensive street flooding throughout Barberton. In many areas of Barberton the flooded streets drained within a few hours leaving many flooded basements, garages and yards. After the flash flooding had stopped, the upstream routed water caused the flood waters to continue a slow rise in Barberton. These areas began flooding during the night of July 10 and by the morning of July 11th flooding was reaching into new areas. Flood waters in most areas receded by Sunday July 14th leaving behind large areas of the City needing clean-up operations. The City estimates that over 700 buildings suffered some form of water intrusion including sewage backups.

14TH, 15TH & 16TH STREETS NW WOLF CREEK|Flooding began during the intense rain on the afternoon of July 10th and the area remained underwater for three days. The flooding closed bridges across Wolf Creek at Wooster Road West, Brady Ave., Norton Ave., and Barber Road in the City of Norton leaving only the Hopocan Ave. bridge crossing Wolf Creek in Barberton accessible. Over sixty businesses and residences reported flooding issues.

|NORTON AVE. BARBER ROAD, MIAMI ST. - WOLF CREEK|Rising waters of Wolf Creek over the night of July 10-11 flooded the commercial area on Norton Ave. Residents of the Shamrock Motel were evacuated on July 11 and businesses along the north side of Norton Ave. experienced up to two feet of flooding. Over thirty business and residences experienced flooding problems.

30th and 31ST STREETS NW, SOUTH AVE. - HUDSON RUN |Hudson Run experienced a rapid rise in floodwaters during the heavy rainfall in northwest Barberton and Norton. Flood conditions developed rapidly and affected a large Senior Citizen Complex that required evacuation by Barberton Safety Forces on the evening of July 10th along with a number of residences on 31st St. NW and South Ave. Floodwaters overtopped the spillway at the Columbia Lake Dam, about three-quarters of a mile downstream from Wooster Road and closed Hudson Run Road for a short period of time until gates on the dam were opened.

|COVENTRY ROAD , EAGON STREET INDUSTRIAL AREAS MUD RUN|Six businesses and three residences were affect by the floodwaters of Mud Run.

5TH ST. NE INDUSTRIAL AREA TUSCARAWAS RIVER|Three large industries were affected by flooding of parts of their complexes.

Thunderstorm winds downed trees throughout Holmes County.

Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs.

Thunderstorm winds toppled a large tree. The tree block U.S. Highway 250.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees in Green Township.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few trees in Sugar Creek Township.

Intense rainfall of rates estimated around 4 inches per hour over downtown Cleveland caused a section of wall to collapse at Tower City. The collapsed wall forced the Red Line trains to stop operations for a short while.

High water closed most roads in Shalersville after an estimated 3 to 4 inches of rain fell within one hour. This rainfall was after 16 consecutive days with rain in the region. Subsequently the saturated ground could not absorb the water and widespread flooding resulted. The water came up so quickly that emergency officials had to evacuate homeowners. Several people became stranded in their cars or homes. Hardest hit areas include Wentworth Street in the Bolingbrook neighborhood and Aurora East where water was several feet deep in homes. The flood waters inundated about half of the 350 homes. The waters receded within an hour or two.

Residents along the west branch of the Rocky River were inundated by flood waters on the afternoon and early evening hours of July 10th. Champion Creek overflowed, causing closures at West Smith and River Styx roads and inundated a few homes. The Chippewa Lake area was flooded as the sewer backed up from excessive runoff. In Montville Township, the Medina Fire Department rescued two residents from homes along River Styx Road.

Widespread flooding occurred across the city of Medina on the evening of the 10th. In addition to a dozen homes being inundated, the city’s municipal court basement was flooded. Residential basement flooding was worst on Forest Meadows Drive, South Court and Huntington streets. Medina police received reports of vehicles stalled along West Smith Road between South Elmwood Avenue and South Court Street because an irrigation ditch collecting water next to the railroad tracks overflowed.

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees.

Flooding was significant across the Streetsboro community on the evening of July 10th. Some of the roads that were flooded included Route 303, Russell Drive, Luke Drive, portions of Camelot Village and Fronek Road. Over a dozen cars were caught in the flood waters, and one family had to be rescued after being swept off the road and into a creek. The intensity of the rain caused several building alarms set off by high water and some traffic signals out. A nearby rain gauge measured 3.25 inches from the storm, however this rain fell quickly onto saturated ground cover. Updated storm drainage systems supported most of the runoff which reduced impacts to homes and businesses.

Heavy rainfall produced widespread flooding in Ravenna with the hardest hit area along Dawley Road in the township. Other areas include South Chestnut Street, Spruce Road and Hazen Avenue in the city. The rainfall estimates are between 3 and 4 inches of rainfall which fell on the 10th.

During the peak of the flooding a large portion of Wooster and Apple Creek were underwater. This included portions of the Wayne County Fairgrounds and Schellin Park. The high water forced the closure of numerous roads across the area including Freedlander, Grosjean, Timken, Baurer Roads and Prairie Lane, Spruce Street, South Bever Street, and Old Lincoln Way. Residents on North Baurer Road and Spruce Street were forced to evacuate. Businesses along Freedlander Road were also evacuated. Four of the city's waste water treatment facilities life stations went down from flood waters. One of the wastewater treatment plants had 6 to 8 feet of sewage in the buidling. In Apple Creek, the creek came out of banks and shut down some local roads. A home and a vehicle where inundated in that town.

Thunderstorm winds knocked a large tree down on State Route 44.

Heavy rainfall estimated around 3 inches fell over southern Trumbull County. This resulted in widespread flooding as the ground had been wet from recent rain. The Eagle Creek in Braceville came out of banks and flooded most low lying roads and a few homes on Barcley Messerly Road. A few water rescues were needed for motorists in Braceville and Newton Falls. Crossroads in Newton Falls at Warren Ravenna Road, Taft Avenue and Wilson Avenue, had water standing as high as the mailbox of one residence. Dozens of basements were inundated in the two towns.

Nearly 4.5 inches of rain was reported over southern Cuyahoga County. The resulting flooding was primarily to roads and infrastructure, but there was some basement flooding mainly in the Berea area. Some impacts include widespread metropark flooding. The Canal Road in Valley View was closed from Rockside to Stone due to sinkhole conditions. In Macedonia there was a partial bridge collapse.

After seventeen consecutive days with rain, the heavy rain that moved through northeastern Marion County on July 10th 2013 was enough to produce one more round of flooding. In a matter of 15 minutes, residents say it went from standing water to a flash flood with more than a foot of rushing water from the Hell Branch Run into portions of Caledonia. Some businesses and basements were inundated with water and mud.

A line of storms with heavy rain moved through Crawford County on the 10th of July. Six homes with first floor flooding in the Village of Crestline.

Seventeen days of consecutive rain brought widespread flooding to Crawford County. The hardest hit towns were Bucyrus and Crestline. In Bucyrus, the Sandusky River came out of its banks resulting flooding of the Harmon Park soccer complex, and surrounding homes on Clinton and Lane Streets. North Sandusky Ave and Water Street were closed. Elsewhere in the county numerous roads were closed and part of Ohio 19 and Brokensword were closed. Most of the county had received between 3.5 and 7 inches of rain over a 48 hour period, with the heaviest rain falling over Crestline. In Galion numerous roads were closed.

The Norwalk Creek exceeded its banks as it was overwhelmed by runoff from torrential rain. The creek rose quickly and thretened a few homes and businesses which were inundated to their first level. A woman was rescued from her vehicle as the flowing creek overran Lover's Lane Road.

Intense rainfall rates over east Cleveland caused a washout of the major thru-way Martin Luther King Blvd in the University Circle region. A significant portion of the southbound portion of the pavement was washed out.