Ohio, 2019

Flash Flooding and Flood in Ohio, June 18 to 20, 2019

June 18 to 20, 2019 · NWS PBZ · 28 events in 8 counties and zones

A quasi-stationary frontal boundary set up across Ohio and Pennsylvania on the 17th, and wavered about the region until it was kicked off to the east by a stronger frontal boundary late on the 20th. Flooding and flash flooding remained a concern through the period given an ideal setup for training storms, as well as efficient rainfall production associated with observed high PWATs and deeper…

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
28

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PBZ wrote it up.

A quasi-stationary frontal boundary set up across Ohio and Pennsylvania on the 17th, and wavered about the region until it was kicked off to the east by a stronger frontal boundary late on the 20th. Flooding and flash flooding remained a concern through the period given an ideal setup for training storms, as well as efficient rainfall production associated with observed high PWATs and deeper warm cloud depths. Storm total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches were not uncommon in east-central Ohio, with one report of 4.73 inches of rain at Graysville as of 10:47 PM on the 19th. Monroe and Coshocton Counties were particularly hard hit, with a mobile home park affected in Coshocton, and a road washout due to that heavy rain near Graysville.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 18, 8:32 PM EST, 2 hours 8 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jun 18, 8:32 PM EST, 2 hours 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
932 PM EDT Tue Jun 18 2019

.SYNOPSIS...
Periodic showers will continue through the week as a frontal boundary
remains stalled in the region and several disturbances cross the
upper Ohio Valley.

&&

.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING/...
Convergence along a quasistationary frontal zone has sustained
shallow but efficient rain showers especially from UCP-PHD-TZR. As a
result of persistent rainfall saturating the ground over recent days,
very high PWAT value and high freezing level supporting warm rain
processes and slow convective movement, flooding/flash flooding
remain the main risks as even modest-looking showers are proving to
be very efficient rain producers.

Convection will taper off tonight as daytime heating is lost, which
will help end the immediate threat of flash flooding. The current
Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until late tonight, at which
point its tenure will be evaluated.

&&

.SHORT TERM /6 AM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Diurnal heating plus sfc convergence along the lingering stationary
boundary will yield more convection late Wed morning into the
afternoon. This initial convection will favor areas south of I-80
where lift/convergence within swly flow aloft will assist development.
Though PWAT will remain high and storm movement will be slow, the
overall flash flood risk will be less during the day due to the lack
of sufficient areal coverage and the expected weaker intensity of
storms.

Two shortwave troughs will swing through the region Wed night
through Thu, with a sfc cold front moving through Thu night as the
second wave exits. Better upper-level support will make showers and
thunderstorms more widespread and heighten the threat of flash
flooding, especially near the sfc boundary that is expected to be
near the I-80 corridor. The period of heavy rain will be Thu
afternoon and evening when the second wave becomes a positively-
tilted closed low, which will enhance mid-level frontogenesis and
lead to widespread convection with deeper updrafts.

A flash flood watch may be needed for this system, but will defer
any issuance until the current watch is dispatched and subsequent
shifts can better identify the geographical scope of threat.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Drier and cooler air will arrive Fri morning in the wake of the cold
frontal passage and will persist through the day under nwly flow.

A ridge is expected to build ewd through the rest of the weekend to
keep dry weather in place, but there are hints that upstream
convection may round the ridge and impact a portion of our area both
Sat and Sun mornings. Regardless, the ridge will provide a rebound
in temperature for the region.

Wet weather will return by the start of the work week with another
series of disturbances aiding storm development across the area.

&&

.AVIATION /02Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Coverage of showers will wane this evening with the departure of an
upper-level wave and the loss of diurnal heating. For the remainder
of the afternoon, conditions are expected to be relatively steady-
state, with showers along and south of a frontal zone from near FKL
to near OSU. Once showers and their attendant restrictions dissipate,
cigs will lower overnight to IFR or lower in the stagnant near-
saturated airmass. Restrictions to vsby also are expected as fog
develops late.

Restrictions should lift to MVFR-VFR diurnally, with showers and
storms renewing by late morning. With the airmass remaining in place,
all terminals are expected to see convection nearby through the day,
which will be capable of heavy rain and consequent restrictions.

.Outlook...
Periodic restrictions are possible through the week as a frontal
zone sags over the region and interacts with crossing disturbances to
produce frequent showers and storms.

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...Flash Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for MDZ001.
OH...Flash Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for OHZ039>041-048>050-
     057>059-068-069.
PA...Flash Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for PAZ013>016-020>023-
     029-031-073>076.
WV...Flash Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for WVZ001>004-012-021-
     509>514.

&&

Update...Kramar
Hazardous weather outlook, Jun 18, 8:34 PM EST, 2 hours 6 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
934 PM EDT Tue Jun 18 2019

MDZ001-OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ013>016-020>023-029-031-
073>076-WVZ001>004-012-021-509>514-200145-
Garrett-Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-
Jefferson OH-Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Lawrence-Butler-
Clarion-Jefferson PA-Beaver-Allegheny-Armstrong-Indiana-Washington-
Greene-Westmoreland-Westmoreland Ridges-Fayette-Fayette Ridges-
Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston-
Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker-
934 PM EDT Tue Jun 18 2019

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Maryland, east
central Ohio, southwest Pennsylvania, west central Pennsylvania,
western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and northern panhandle
of West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

A series of disturbances will bring increased coverage of showers
and thunderstorms late Wednesday through Thursday. As a result of
saturated ground from recent rainfall, these storms will be capable
of producing heavy rain that could cause flash flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

PAZ007>009-200145-
Mercer-Venango-Forest-
934 PM EDT Tue Jun 18 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

A series of disturbances will bring increased coverage of showers
and thunderstorms late Wednesday through Thursday. As a result of
saturated ground from recent rainfall, these storms will be capable
of producing heavy rain that could cause flash flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

Kramar

The radar

The Cleveland radar (KCLE), 127 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 03:40 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

26 flash flood, 1 flood, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Coshocton

When
June 18, 10:40 PM EST to June 19, 2:18 AM EST
Where
Coshocton County, 0.38 mi NW of West Lafayette to 0.59 mi N of West Lafayette
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.275, -81.754

A trained spotter reported that a mobile home park was beginning to flood, and that a nearby water rescue was taking place.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When
June 18, 11:25 PM EST to June 19, 1:45 AM EST
Where
Jefferson County, 2.65 mi NNW of Pravo to 2.31 mi SSE of Yellow Creek
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
40.557, -80.863

A county 911 official reported that multiple roads were flooded across the northern part of Jefferson County.

Flash Flood, Carroll

When
June 18, 11:30 PM EST to June 19, 1:45 AM EST
Where
Carroll County, 1.94 mi SSE of Atwood Res to 1.33 mi WSW of Sherrodsville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
40.523, -81.261

According to the county 911 call center, multiple roads were flooded in the Sherrodsville Area, including Route 332 and Route 542.

Flood, Tuscarawas

When
June 18, 11:33 PM EST to June 19, 2:18 AM EST
Where
Tuscarawas County, 0.39 mi WNW of Roswell to 0.31 mi SW of Roswell
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
40.481, -81.357

The county 911 call center stated that roads were flooded in the area of Roswell.

Flash Flood, Coshocton

When
June 19, 1:30 AM EST to 2:18 AM EST
Where
Coshocton County, 2.29 mi NNW of West Lafayette to 2.19 mi WSW of West Lafayette
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.299, -81.771

According to the emergency manager, one road collapse occurred with numerous additional road closures. An apartment complex and a retirement community were evacuated due to high water.

Flash Flood, Belmont

When
June 19, 7:19 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
Where
Belmont County, 0.52 mi NW of Shadyside to 0.44 mi W of Shadyside
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
39.976, -80.756

The Shadyside Fire Department that there were numerous roads closed around town.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When
June 19, 7:50 PM EST to June 20, 12:45 AM EST
Where
Monroe County, 1.27 mi WSW of Sardis to 0.99 mi SW of Sardis
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.610, -80.940

The public reported that Narrows Run was causing flooding on State Route 7.

Heavy Rain, Carroll

When
June 19, 8:00 PM EST to June 20, 8:36 PM EST
Where
Carroll County, 0.69 mi N of Carrollton
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
40.580, -81.080

A trained spotter reported receiving 1.24 inches of rain in less than 30 minutes.

Flash Flood, Carroll

When
June 19, 8:56 PM EST to June 20, 1:30 AM EST
Where
Carroll County, 1.27 mi ENE of Carrolton Tolson Arp to 1.45 mi E of Carrolton Tolson Arp
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.575, -81.047

Friday Creek flooded a portion of State Route 39, according to the county emergency manager.

Flash Flood, Carroll

When
June 19, 8:58 PM EST to June 20, 1:45 AM EST
Where
Carroll County, 0.52 mi E of Dellroy to 0.92 mi E of Dellroy
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
40.550, -81.190

The county emergency manager reported that Indian Fork was flooding portions of State Route 39.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When
June 19, 9:00 PM EST to June 20, 12:45 AM EST
Where
Monroe County, 0.94 mi NNW of Cline to 1.05 mi NNE of Cline
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
39.613, -81.175

The county OHDOT office reported that Witten Creek flooded in response to heavy rainfall.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When
June 19, 9:00 PM EST to June 20, 12:45 AM EST
Where
Monroe County, 1.02 mi SW of Graysville to 0.7 mi W of Way
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
39.659, -81.183

The county emergency manager reported that a road was washed out by flooding south of Graysville. Also, flash flooding was reported in the area along Route 26 south of town.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When
June 19, 9:00 PM EST to June 20, 12:45 AM EST
Where
Monroe County, 0.53 mi E of Way to 0.5 mi E of Way
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.630, -81.170

A member of the public reported that Straight Fork was out of its banks overnight after excessive rainfall.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When
June 19, 9:00 PM EST to June 20, 12:45 AM EST
Where
Monroe County, 0.53 mi W of Way to 0.69 mi W of Way
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
39.630, -81.190

The public reported that Clear Fork was out of its banks.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When
June 19, 9:30 PM EST to June 20, 12:45 AM EST
Where
Monroe County, 1.09 mi NE of Edwina to 0.95 mi NW of Graysville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
39.733, -81.138

The county OHDOT office reported that State Route 26 between State Route 800 and the Washington County line was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Harrison

When
June 19, 9:31 PM EST to June 20, 12:45 AM EST
Where
Harrison County, 1.72 mi ESE of Conotton to 1.17 mi E of Conotton
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
40.410, -81.120

Local law enforcement stated that State Route 151 was closed due to high water for a short time.

Flash Flood, Carroll

When
June 19, 10:12 PM EST to June 20, 1:30 AM EST
Where
Carroll County, 1.55 mi NW of Carrollton to 1.41 mi NW of Carrollton
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
40.589, -81.097

Local law enforcement reported that several roads were closed due to flooding in the city of Carrollton.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When
June 19, 10:25 PM EST to June 20, 12:45 AM EST
Where
Monroe County, 0.53 mi E of Sardis to 1.24 mi ENE of Sardis
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
39.620, -80.910

Local law enforcement reported that State Route 7 was closed due to high water.

Flash Flood, Monroe

When
June 19, 10:25 PM EST to June 20, 12:45 AM EST
Where
Monroe County, 1.64 mi W of Sardis to 1.67 mi WSW of Sardis
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
39.622, -80.951

Narrows Run Road was closed due to high water, according to local law enforcement.

Flash Flood, Carroll

When
June 19, 11:00 PM EST to June 20, 12:45 AM EST
Where
Carroll County, 0.8 mi WNW of Leavittsville to 0.74 mi ENE of Sherrodsville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
40.523, -81.215

According to local law enforcement, several roads were closed in the vicinity of Leavittsville due to high water.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When
June 19, 11:00 PM EST to June 20, 1:15 AM EST
Where
Jefferson County, 1.26 mi ENE of Toronto Arpt to 1.57 mi NE of Toronto Arpt
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
40.480, -80.610

The county OHDOT office reported that State Route 7 was closed due to a landslide north of Toronto.

Flash Flood, Jefferson

When
June 19, 11:04 PM EST to June 20, 12:15 AM EST
Where
Jefferson County, 1.89 mi N of Fairplay to 1.86 mi N of Creswell
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
40.397, -80.824

Local law enforcement stated that Township Road 204, State Route 646, and County Road 56 were all closed due to high water.

Flash Flood, Columbiana

When
June 20, 12:00 AM EST to 1:15 AM EST
Where
Columbiana County, 0.3 mi W of West Pt to 0.64 mi WNW of Glasgow
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
40.700, -80.706

The county OHDOT office reported that State Route 45 was closed between State Route 7 and US 30 due to high water.

Flash Flood, Columbiana

When
June 20, 12:20 AM EST to 1:15 AM EST
Where
Columbiana County, 1.33 mi WNW of Salineville to 0.64 mi W of Salineville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
40.628, -80.853

Water was crossing over several roads in the vicinity of Salineville, as stated by local law enforcement.

Flash Flood, Coshocton

When
June 20, 12:37 AM EST to 2:15 AM EST
Where
Coshocton County, 1.42 mi NNE of West Lafayette Prts to 1.67 mi W of West Lafayette Prts
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
40.270, -81.722

County Road 151 was closed due to high water, according to local law enforcement.

Flash Flood, Coshocton

When
June 20, 12:38 AM EST to 2:15 AM EST
Where
Coshocton County, 0.45 mi ENE of Plainfield to 0.94 mi NE of Plainfield
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
40.203, -81.713

Local law enforcement stated that County Road 106 was closed due to high water.

Flash Flood, Coshocton

When
June 20, 12:39 AM EST to 2:15 AM EST
Where
Coshocton County, 1.71 mi S of West Lafayette Prts to 1.68 mi NNW of Plainfield
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
40.225, -81.734

Law enforcement stated that State Route 93 was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Coshocton

When
June 20, 12:39 AM EST to 2:15 AM EST
Where
Coshocton County, 1.74 mi SE of Canal Lewisville to 2.38 mi SE of Canal Lewisville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
40.280, -81.810

County Road 16 was closed due to high water, as stated by local law enforcement.

What these are

Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Ohio in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, June 2019

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 830505, 830506, 830511, 830516, 830521, 830526, 830531, 830540, 830542, 830545, 830559, 830564, 830573, 830574, 830576, 830577, 830578, 830579, 830580, 830582, 830583, 830588, 830589, 830591, 830597, 830601, 830603, 830606.