Flash Flooding and Flooding in Ohio, August 23 to 25, 2023

Name: Flash Flooding and Flooding in Ohio, August 23 to 25, 2023
Start: 2023-08-23T17:50
End: 2023-08-25T18:30
Location: Ohio

August 23 to 25, 2023 · NWS CLE · 30 events in 13 counties and zones

0 inches. The Lower Great Lakes region, specifically northern Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania found itself on the eastern edge of this heat dome.

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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 2
Property damage: $9.9 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 30

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 CLE wrote it up.

An anomalously-warm and moist air mass was in place across much of the Central Plains and Midwest, resulting in strong to perhaps extreme instability in addition to tropical-like precipitable water values exceeding 2.0 inches. The Lower Great Lakes region, specifically northern Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania found itself on the eastern edge of this heat dome. Strong northwest flow aloft persisted along the periphery of the anomalously-warm and moist air mass, allowing for organized storms to develop across northern Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania. A constant feed of moisture allowed these storms to maintain their intensity throughout the evening and overnight hours of Aug 23, 2023 and into the early morning hours of Aug 24, 2023 as they slowly pivoted southwest. Numerous flash flood warnings were issued with 3 considerable tags utilized throughout the course of the event. The hardest-hit areas were along the lakeshore between Toledo and Cleveland where there were several reports of 5 to 7 inches of rainfall. Elsewhere, generally 2 to 4 inches of rainfall was common, most of which fell in only a few hours. The area was on the edge of an extremely unstable airmass with sufficient deep-layer shear for organized convection.

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 Cleveland, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 23, 3:19 PM EST, 2 hours 31 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 23, 3:19 PM EST, 2 hours 31 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
419 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

.SYNOPSIS...
A warm front will lift north through the area into this evening
before becoming stationary. A series of low pressure waves will
move east along the front tonight through Thursday before the
front pushes south as a cold front by Friday. A secondary cold
front will push south across the area Saturday before high
pressure returns Sunday into Monday.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT/...
Will keep the discussion succinct with ongoing convection, but
will highlight the main concerns over the next 36 hours.

Excessive heat watch remains in effect and was expanded a tier
of counties eastward. Confidence is still too low for
warning/advisory decisions given the potential for convection
early Thursday keeping temperatures cooler. Most confident in
the I-75 corridor potentially reaching warning criteria with 107
to 110 degree heat indices Thursday afternoon. Much more
uncertain eastward, but will have a better idea on where to put
the warning/advisory once the convection manifests overnight.

Ongoing thunderstorms are pushing south through the area late
this afternoon/early this evening. Storms have been
strong/borderline severe along a strong instability gradient to
the west with a pocket of 30-40 kt effective bulk shear. This
should push south of the area over the next hour or two.

Very concerned for training thunderstorms with heavy rainfall
tonight somewhere across far northeast Ohio/northwest PA. Have
hoisted a Flood Watch for flash flooding to highlight this
potential. Uncertainty remains with the exact details/location
of the heavy rainfall axis, however the synoptic setup is very
favorable for flash flooding with northerly upper flow, an
increasing westerly low level jet normal to the surface warm
front/upper flow, strong moisture advection into the boundary,
and PWATs in the 99th percentile focused on this area. The main
concern for training, efficient thunderstorms is generally after
03Z through 12Z with the strengthening LLJ, however convection
is already lining up downstream of Lake Huron over southwest
Ontario, which looks focused to impact far NE OH/NW PA this
evening. Rainfall rate of at least 1 to 2 inches are expected
with higher rates possible, so thunderstorms that train over any
given area for a length of time have the potential to produces
prolific rainfall amounts with a high potential for flash
flooding to develop. Severe thunderstorms cannot be ruled out
either with 40 kts of effective bulk shear, and instability
building eastward, although much of the activity will be
elevated overnight. Damaging winds and hail look to be the
primary threat at the time.

Convection should weaken early Thursday morning with a brief
lull in precip , but attention then turns to more convective
development later Thursday across the area. The setup for
Thursday afternoon is highly conditional with very little
confidence for the local area. If convection does develop over
or upstream of the area late Thursday, this activity will again
pose a threat for flooding and severe weather, but details will
likely remain uncertain until the overnight convection and
resultant outflow boundaries manifest over the local area.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
Showers and thunderstorms from Thursday's overnight convection may
linger across Northeast Ohio and Northwest PA at the beginning of
the short term period Friday morning and afternoon. Precipitation
chances will drop off as moist low/mid levels and upper level
support exit to the east. A cold front will move southward across
the area during the day Saturday. This front may provide enough
support for some isolated showers and thunderstorms to develop in
Saturday before high pressure builds in behind the cold front.

High temperatures will trend cooler but still near average on Friday
as they rise into the 80s with upper 70s across Northwest PA. Behind
the cold front on Saturday, highs will be in the upper 70s to lower
80s. Expect low temperatures to follow a similar pattern, mid to
upper 60s on Friday night dropping to the upper 50s to lower 60s on
Saturday night.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
We'll undergo a pattern change as broad troughing will begin to take
shape over the eastern US by the start of the long term. There looks
to be a few shortwaves that will move along the deepening upper
trough through the middle of next week that we'll need to keep an
eye on. Otherwise, anticipate for below normal temperatures
generally in the mid to upper 70s for highs and mid 50s to lower 60s
for lows.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z Wednesday THROUGH Monday/...
Low confidence TAF period with periods of TSRA ongoing at the
onset of the period from KMFD/KCLE east. Main focus of TSRA
activity should be confined to KERI/KYNG after 03Z, with
confidence too low for TAF mention at other terminals. KFDY/KTOL
should remain VFR through the entire period. IFR reductions
possible with TSRA, but generally VFR to some MVFR ceilings
outside of TSRA through the period. Winds will generally be out
of the southwest through the period.

Outlook...Non-VFR possible in showers and thunderstorms Thursday.
Additional non-VFR possible in showers and thunderstorms Friday
into Saturday.

&&

.MARINE...
A warm front will gradually progress east across Lake Erie Wednesday
afternoon through Thursday. Southerly to southeasterly flow 10 to 15
knots ahead of the warm front will become southwesterly at 15 to 20
knots by Thursday morning, generating waves 1-3 feet. However,
conditions should remain below small craft advisory criteria.
Anticipate for multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms across
Lake Erie now through Friday along and ahead of the warm front.

After the front passes on Friday morning, winds turn onshore and
remain generally below 10 knots through Saturday evening. A cold
front will cross south on Saturday and lead to northeasterly winds
to briefly increase to 10-15 knots. High pressure will build in from
the north behind the front and allow for winds to return below 10
knots by Sunday afternoon.

&&

.CLE WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...Excessive Heat Watch from Thursday afternoon through Thursday
     evening for OHZ003-006>009-017>019-027-028-036-037.
     Flood Watch from 8 PM EDT this evening through Thursday
     morning for OHZ012>014-022-023-033-089.
PA...Flood Watch from 8 PM EDT this evening through Thursday
     morning for PAZ001>003.
MARINE...None.

&&

SYNOPSIS...Greenawalt
NEAR TERM...Greenawalt
SHORT TERM...Iverson
LONG TERM...Iverson
AVIATION...Greenawalt
MARINE...Iverson

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 23, 5:41 PM EST, 9 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
641 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

OHZ003-006>009-017>019-027-028-036-037-242245-
Lucas-Wood-Ottawa-Sandusky-Erie-Hancock-Seneca-Huron-Wyandot-
Crawford-Marion-Morrow-
641 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
THURSDAY EVENING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Ohio and
northwest Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Showers and thunderstorms are possible overnight. Storms may produce
damaging wind gusts, large hail, and locally heavy rain and/or
localized flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

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

   Excessive Heat Watch.

Showers and thunderstorms are possible on Thursday. Storms may
produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, and locally heavy rain
and/or localized flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

OHZ029>032-038-047-242245-
Richland-Ashland-Wayne-Stark-Holmes-Knox-
641 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Ohio and
northeast Ohio.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Showers and thunderstorms with the potential for damaging wind gusts
and heavy rainfall that may produce localized flooding are possible
this evening through the overnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Showers and thunderstorms are possible again on Thursday. Storms may
produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, and locally heavy rain
and/or localized flooding.

Heat index values may approach 100 degrees on Thursday afternoon.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

OHZ010>014-020>023-033-089-PAZ001>003-242245-
Lorain-Cuyahoga-Lake-Geauga-Ashtabula Inland-Medina-Summit-Portage-
Trumbull-Mahoning-Ashtabula Lakeshore-Northern Erie-Southern Erie-
Crawford-
641 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Ohio, northeast
Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

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

   Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

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

   Flood Watch.

Showers and thunderstorms are possible again on Thursday. Storms may
produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, and locally heavy rain
and/or localized flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

LEZ061-142>149-162>169-242245-
Ripley to Buffalo NY extending from 5NM off shoreline to US-
Canadian border-Maumee Bay to Reno Beach OH-
Reno Beach to The Islands OH-The Islands to Vermilion OH-
Vermilion to Avon Point OH-Avon Point to Willowick OH-
Willowick to Geneva-on-the Lake OH-Geneva-on-the-Lake to Conneaut OH-
Conneaut OH to Ripley NY-
Detroit River Lt. to Maumee Bay OH to Reno Beach OH beyond 5NM
offshoreline to US-Canadian border-
Reno Beach to The Islands OH beyond 5NM off shoreline to US-
Canadian border-
The Islands to Vermilion OH beyond 5 nm off shoreline to US-
Canadian border-
Vermilion to Avon Point OH beyond 5 nm off shoreline to US-
Canadian border-
Avon Point to Willowick OH beyond 5 nm off shoreline to US-
Canadian border-Willowick to Geneva-on-the-
Lake OH beyond 5NM off shoreline to US-Canadian border-Geneva-on-the-
Lake to Conneaut OH beyond 5 nm off shoreline to US-Canadian border-
Conneaut OH to Ripley NY beyond 5 nm off shoreline to US-
Canadian border-
641 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for Lake Erie.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Showers and thunderstorms with the potential for damaging wind gusts
and heavy rainfall that may produce localized flooding are possible
this evening through the overnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday.

Showers and thunderstorms are possible again on Thursday. Storms may
produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, and locally heavy rain
and/or localized flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed. Please relay any information about
observed severe weather to the NWS while following all local, state,
and CDC guidelines.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 23, 4:34 PM EST, 1 hour 16 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
534 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

OHZ023-232215-
Trumbull OH-
534 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Trumbull County
through 615 PM EDT...

At 532 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Orwell, or 16 miles north of Warren, moving southeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph, pea size hail, heavy rainfall,
         and frequent lightning.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Warren, Niles, Hubbard, Cortland, Lordstown, Kinsman, North
Bloomfield, Vienna Center, Hilltop, Maplewood Park, Bristolville,
Leavittsburg, Girard, Vienna, McDonald, Mecca, Johnston, Orangeville,
Yankee Lake and Churchill.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4114 8052 4113 8085 4150 8098 4150 8052
TIME...MOT...LOC 2132Z 327DEG 42KT 4148 8076

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Clark

Local storm report, Aug 23, 4:38 PM EST, 1 hour 12 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
538 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0250 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 WSW Apple Creek       40.74N 81.88W
08/23/2023                   Wayne              OH   Public

&&

Zeigler

Local storm report, Aug 23, 4:40 PM EST, 1 hour 10 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
540 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0225 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 SSW Medina            41.11N 81.88W
08/23/2023                   Medina             OH   Public

            Report from mPING: 1-inch tree limbs broken;
            Shingles blown off.

&&

Zeigler

Local storm report, Aug 23, 5:15 PM EST, 35 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
615 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0608 PM     Hail             1 NNW Hubbard           41.17N 80.58W
08/23/2023  E0.25 inch       Trumbull           OH   Trained Spotter

&&

Zeigler

Local storm report, Aug 23, 5:32 PM EST, 18 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
632 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0140 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     2 NNW Sheffield Lake    41.51N 82.11W
08/23/2023  M35 MPH          LEZ145             OH   Buoy

            Sheffield Buoy 45204 reported a wind gust of
            35 knots.

&&

Zeigler

Local storm report, Aug 23, 5:49 PM EST, 1 minute before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
649 PM EDT Wed Aug 23 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0300 PM     Tstm Wnd Gst     17 NE Marblehead        41.67N 82.45W
08/23/2023  M65 MPH          LEZ164             OH   Buoy

            Buoy 45005 reported a wind gust of 56 knots.

&&

Zeigler

The radar

The Cleveland radar (KCLE), 58 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:52 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

27 flash flood, 3 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Lake

When: August 23, 5:50 PM EST to 9:40 PM EST
Where: Lake County, 0.65 mi WNW of Lakeshore to 1.57 mi NNW of Painesville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.723, -81.292

Multiple roads flooded and impassable in Painesville due to heavy rainfall. Some of these roads included the Richmond Street and North State Street underpasses. Radar estimated rainfall of 2 to 2.5 inches fell in a three to four hour period, with 1 to 1.25 inches of rain falling in one hour.

Flash Flood, Lake

When: August 23, 7:30 PM EST to 10:30 PM EST
Where: Lake County, 0.43 mi NE of Willoughby to 1.07 mi NNW of Wickliffe
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.635, -81.395

Widespread road closures due to flash flooding in Willoughby, Eastlake, and Willowick. Multiple water rescues conducted due to vehicles driving into flooded roadways. Road closures in this area included US-2 near Stevens Boulevard, Vine Street just east of US-2, Riverside Boulevard and Riverside Drive, and Lake Shore Boulevard near Vine Street. Radar estimated 2.25 to 3 inches of rainfall in a three to four hour period, with 1 to 1.5 inches of rain falling in the hour immediately preceding the flash flooding.

Flash Flood, Cuyahoga

When: August 23, 7:40 PM EST to 10:10 PM EST
Where: Cuyahoga County, 0.28 mi WSW of (Cgf)cuyahoga Co Arp to 1.59 mi NE of Mayfield
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.569, -81.485

Flash flooding of area creeks/streams due to heavy rainfall. Road closures reported on Fairmount Boulevard near the Chagrin River and Bishop Road near East Branch Euclid Creek due to flooding. Radar estimated 2.25 to 3.25 inches of rainfall in a three hour period, much of which fell in 90 minutes or less.

Flash Flood, Lake

When: August 23, 7:50 PM EST to 11:00 PM EST
Where: Lake County, 0.3 mi NNE of Pleasant Vly to 0.64 mi WNW of Pleasant Vly
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 41.584, -81.397

Widespread flash flooding leading to road closures in Willoughby Hills and Waite Hill. Flooded roadways include Milann Drive, River Road near Beech Hills Drive, River Road near Rivera Ridge Road, Chagrin Drive, and Trailard Drive. Radar estimated 2.25 to 3 inches of rainfall in a three to four hour period, with 1 to 1.5 inches of rain falling in the hour immediately preceding the flash flooding.

Flash Flood, Cuyahoga

When: August 23, 7:54 PM EST to August 24, 12:00 AM EST
Where: Cuyahoga County, 0.98 mi NNW of Eagle Cliff to 2.88 mi NNW of Fairview
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.493, -81.959

Widespread, extensive flash flooding in Cleveland, Lakewood, Rocky River, Westlake, and Bay Village. Interstate 90 flooded with several feet of water with multiple water rescues on both eastbound and westbound lanes near the McKinley Avenue exit. Lakeshore Boulevard and Martin Luther King Boulevard closed due to flooding in Cleveland, with multiple cars stranded in high water. Extensive basement flooding in Rocky River, Lakewood, and Bay Village. Radar estimated 1.5 to 2.25 inches of rainfall in less than three hours, with much of the rainfall falling in less than one hour.

Flash Flood, Geauga

When: August 23, 8:00 PM EST to 10:30 PM EST
Where: Geauga County, 4.91 mi NNE of Mulberry Corners to 4.75 mi NW of Chardon
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.613, -81.287

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding of East Branch Chagrin River in Chardon Township. The river came out of its banks flooding Mitchells Mills Road near Wisner Road. Radar estimated 1.75 to 2.5 inches of rainfall in the East Branch Chagrin River basin over a three hour period, with much of the rain falling in a 90 minute to two hour period.

Flash Flood, Cuyahoga

When: August 23, 8:15 PM EST to 10:30 PM EST
Where: Cuyahoga County, 0.6 mi SE of Bedford to 0.72 mi NE of Bedford Hgts
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.373, -81.522

Multiple road closures in and around Solon due to flash flooding. Road closures include US-422 at Brainard Road and Bainbridge Road near Harper Road. Radar estimated 1.75 to 2.25 inches of rainfall in a three hour period, with most of the rain falling in a 60 to 90 minute period.

Flash Flood, Cuyahoga

When: August 23, 8:15 PM EST to 10:40 PM EST
Where: Cuyahoga County, 1.43 mi WSW of North Olmsted to 1.7 mi NNW of Fairview Park
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.410, -81.945

Extensive flash flooding in North Olmsted, Brooklyn, Brook Park, Parma, and Parma Heights. Widespread basement flooding and road closures. Several underpasses under I-480 inundated with flood waters. A structure collapse was reported in North Olmsted due to the weight of water on the roof. Flooded roadways include Brookpark Road, West Ridgewood Drive, Pleasant Valley Road near York Road, and Sprague Road near West 130th Street. Multiple water rescues reported in this area. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo experienced flood damage due to flooding of Big Creek. The USGS river gage near the zoo on Big Creek rose from 3.8 feet to 12.8 feet in 70 minutes before the gage was knocked out of service by a fallen tree. Radar estimated 1.5 to 2.25 inches of rainfall in less than three hours, with much of the rainfall falling in less than one hour.

Flash Flood, Lorain

When: August 23, 9:30 PM EST to August 24, 1:00 AM EST
Where: Lorain County, 1.18 mi W of Amherst to 0.46 mi ENE of Beaver Park
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $3.0 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.398, -82.243

Widespread flash flooding across northern Lorain County due to heavy rainfall. Widespread basement and isolated first floor flooding reported in Lorain, Elyria, Amherst, Avon Lake, Avon, and North Ridgeville. Widespread flooded roadways reported. Post event damage assessments reported hundreds of homes and businesses flooded. Radar estimated rainfall of 3 to 4 inches falling in a three hour period, which matched several measured rain gauge reports from the area.

Flash Flood, Lorain

When: August 23, 9:50 PM EST to August 24, 12:30 AM EST
Where: Lorain County, 2.04 mi NW of Oberlin to 2.02 mi S of Lorain Co Regl Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $200,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.303, -82.245

Flash flooding reported in Oberlin and Pittsfield Township due to heavy rainfall. Several reports of flooded basements. OH-303 closed between Pitts Road and Quarry Road due to flash flooding. Radar estimated 2.5 to 3.5 inches of rainfall in a three hour period.

Flash Flood, Medina

When: August 23, 10:00 PM EST to August 24, 1:10 AM EST
Where: Medina County, 0.98 mi SE of Burbank Station to 0.82 mi W of Garden Isle
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 40.991, -81.956

Widespread road closures across western Medina County due to flash flooding. Water rescue reported on Richman Road in Chatham Township after vehicle drove into roadway flooded up to 4 feet in water depth and swept off roadway. Reported road closures include Spencer Mills Road near Coon Creek, River Corners Road near East Branch Black River, Firestone Road near East Branch Black River, Willow Road near Repp Run, and Friendsville Road near Killbuck Creek. Radar estimated rainfall of 2.25 to 3.5 inches in a three hour period ending at Midnight EDT on August 24, 2023.

Flash Flood, Erie

When: August 23, 10:10 PM EST to August 24, 2:15 AM EST
Where: Erie County, 1.09 mi ENE of Vermilion to 0.34 mi NE of Birmingham
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.427, -82.351

Multiple road closures due to flash flooding in eastern Erie County, including in Vermilion and Florence Township. Main Road closed at Chappel Creek due to flooding of the creek. Sperry Road closed between OH-60 and the Erie/Lorain county line. Reports of cars stranded in flooded roadways in Vermilion. Radar estimated 3 to 3.75 inches of rainfall in a three hour period.

Flash Flood, Lorain

When: August 23, 10:15 PM EST to August 24, 2:00 AM EST
Where: Lorain County, 1.63 mi N of Brighton to 1.77 mi NE of Wellington Btsfrd Ar
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $500,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 41.194, -82.322

Flash flooding in and around Wellington. Lorain County Fairgrounds inundated with more than a foot of standing water, flooding cars and livestock trailers in the fairgrounds parking area, and several barns on the fairground property. Some basement flooding reported in Wellington. OH-18 closed west of Wellington between Oh-511 and Quarry Road and east of Wellington between Hawley Road and West Road. Radar estimated 3 to 4 inches of rainfall in a three hour period.

Flash Flood, Ashland

When: August 23, 10:20 PM EST to August 24, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Ashland County, 1.84 mi N of Sullivan to 1.08 mi ENE of Sullivan
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.056, -82.226

State Route 58 and County Road 281 closed due to flooding of East Branch Black River in Sullivan Township in northeast Ashland County. Radar estimated 3 to 3.5 inches of rainfall in a 2 to 3 hours period.

Flash Flood, Ashland

When: August 23, 11:00 PM EST to August 24, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Ashland County, 2.51 mi NE of Ruggles to 1.18 mi ESE of Redhaw
Cause: Heavy Rain
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $400,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.056, -82.366

Widespread flash flooding with localized significant impacts across much of northwest and central Ashland County. More than one dozen reported road closures due to flooding of creeks, streams and rivers, with several inches to several feet of flowing water across roadways. Some major roadways closed by flooding include several portions of US-250, US-42, OH-56, OH-302, in addition to several township and county roadways. Four water rescues were reported across this area due to vehicles driving into flooded roadways. Township Road 1275 near the intersection of OH-89 in Perry Township was washed out due to flooding. A vehicle drove into the washed out culvert and two occupants needed to be rescued, and were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Radar estimated 2.75 to 3.5 inches of rainfall in a 3 hour period, with a bulk of the rain falling in a 90 minute or less period.

Flash Flood, Huron

When: August 23, 11:10 PM EST to August 24, 2:10 AM EST
Where: Huron County, 1.11 mi NNW of Norwalk to 1.18 mi WNW of East Norwalk
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.246, -82.624

Widespread road closures due to flooding across Norwalk, Wakeman, and Townsend Township. This includes Wakeman Towline Road at Chappel Creek, Greenwich Milan Townline Road North near Union Road, Lehigh Road south of US-20, and Elm and Water Streets in Norwalk. Radar estimated 2.5 to 4.75 inches of rainfall across this area in a three hour period ending 100 AM EDT August 24, 2023.

Flash Flood, Ottawa

When: August 23, 11:30 PM EST to August 24, 5:00 AM EST
Where: Ottawa County, 0.49 mi W of Put in Bay Arpt to 0.48 mi WSW of Put in Bay
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $750,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.630, -82.840

Extensive flash flooding on South Bass Island, with widespread street flooding and widespread basement flooding. Flooding of airport runway on the island. Radar estimated 6.5 to 7 inches of rainfall in a 4.5 hour period ending around 400 AM EDT on August 24, 2023, with 4 to 4.5 inches of rain falling in roughly 2.5 hours.

Flash Flood, Richland

When: August 23, 11:30 PM EST to August 24, 2:30 AM EST
Where: Richland County, 1.06 mi WNW of Pinhook to 3.05 mi ENE of Alta
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.686, -82.399

Widespread road closures due to flooding in and around Mansfield, including OH-13 and US-30 and the railroad underpass at the OH-430 and US-42 split. Mt. Zion road closed due to flooding of Rocky Fork between Smart Road and Crimson Road. USGS stream gage on the Rocky Fork at Lucas indicated a 5.7 ft. rise in the river from 10 PM to 3 AM EDT. Radar estimated rainfall of 2.75 to 3.25 inches fell in this area in a 2.5 to 3 hour period.

Flash Flood, Erie

When: August 23, 11:30 PM EST to August 24, 3:30 AM EST
Where: Erie County, 1.24 mi NNW of Huron to 1.13 mi NE of Kimball
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2.5 million
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.397, -82.556

Widespread flooding across western and central Erie County, including the cities of Sandusky and Huron, Margaretta Township, Perkins Township, Oxford Township, and Huron Township. Officials estimated hundreds of homes impacted by basement flooding per local media reports. Widespread road closures due to flooding. Some of the roads impacted by flooding include US-6 from the Sandusky city limits to OH-269, Homegardner Road between OH-269 and Bardshar Road, Campbell Street at Pipe Creek, Old Railroad Road at Mills Creek, Bogart Road at Pipe Creek and at Patten Tract Road, Patten Tract Road at Fox Road and Mason Road, Ransom Road at Wood Road, and Hull Avenue at Lawrence Avenue. Huron High School damaged by flooding. Animal shelter needed evacuated due to flooding. Several residents requiring evacuation near Pipe Creek near Columbus Avenue. Cars stranded in underpass on Columbus Avenue. Apartment complex flooded out in the southeast portion of the city of Sandusky. Radar estimated 3 to 4.75 inches of rainfall in a three hour period, with the highest amount along the Lake Erie shoreline from Sandusky to Huron.

Flash Flood, Ottawa

When: August 23, 11:45 PM EST to August 24, 4:15 AM EST
Where: Ottawa County, 0.54 mi SW of Catawba Is to 0.94 mi NW of Catawba Is
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $250,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.574, -82.856

Widespread roadway and basement flooding across Catawba Island. One water rescue was reported at a campground in Catawba Island. Radar estimated 5.5 to 6 inches of rainfall in a four hour period ending around 400 AM EDT on August 24, 2023, with a bulk of the rain falling in roughly 2.5 hours.

Flash Flood, Ottawa

When: August 24, 12:00 AM EST to 4:00 AM EST
Where: Ottawa County, 0.89 mi SW of Port Clinton to 1.8 mi S of Port Clinton
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $400,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.509, -82.960

Reports of widespread flash flooding in Port Clinton. Multiple flooded and impassable roadways reported along with widespread basement flooding. Radar estimated around 4 inches of rainfall in just under a 3 hour period ending 300 AM EDT on August 24, 2023, with total rainfall of 5 to 5.5 inches ending 500 AM EDT on August 24, 2023.

Flash Flood, Huron

When: August 24, 12:20 AM EST to 2:10 AM EST
Where: Huron County, 1.64 mi W of Strongs Ridge to 1.11 mi NNW of Strongs Ridge
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.280, -82.832

Widespread road closures due to flooding across western Huron County. Some roads include Section Line Road 30 North at Megginson Creek, Section Line Road 30 South at Mud Run, and Townline Road 131 West near OH-61. Basement flooding was reported in Bellevue. Radar estimated 2 to 3 inches of rainfall in a three hour period.

Flash Flood, Seneca

When: August 24, 12:44 AM EST to 1:45 AM EST
Where: Seneca County, 1.25 mi NW of Tiffin to 0.82 mi SSW of Tiffin Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 41.113, -83.187

Reports of several streets flooded and impassable in Tiffin. Radar estimated rainfall of 1.25 to 2 inches fell in a 45 to 60 minute period.

Flash Flood, Sandusky

When: August 24, 12:50 AM EST to 5:40 AM EST
Where: Sandusky County, 1.08 mi WNW of Fremont to 0.17 mi SSW of Kingsway
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 41.356, -83.139

Reports of impassable roadway flooding in and just north of Fremont, including flowing water over County Road 73 between Oak Harbor Road and Fangboner Road. Community building in the northern portion of Fremont experienced up to 5 feet of water in the basement of the building. Radar estimated rainfall of 3.25 to 4 inches fell in a 3 to 4 hour period, much of which fell in an initial 45 to 60 minute period, when 1.5 to 2 inches of rain fell in the hour leading up to the flash flood event.

Flash Flood, Richland

When: August 24, 12:50 AM EST to 2:30 AM EST
Where: Richland County, 2.85 mi NNW of Shelby Arpt to 2.05 mi N of Shelby Arpt
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 40.910, -82.715

Multiple road closures due to flooding in Cass and Plymouth Townships. Flooding of Bear Run and Marsh Run caused flowing water over roadways leading to their closure. This includes London West Road between Broadway Road and Plymouth Springmill Road, London East Road between Fackler Road and Ganges-Five Points Road, and Champion Road between London West Road and Hazel Brush Road. Radar estimated 2 to 3 inches of rainfall in just under 3 hours.

Flood, Lorain

When: August 24, 2:00 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where: Lorain County, 1.58 mi NE of Brighton to 1.95 mi NE of Wellington Btsfrd Ar
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 41.184, -82.296

Flooding from standing water at Lorain County Fairgrounds and remaining road closures in and around Wellington after the initial flash flooding subsided.

Flash Flood, Sandusky

When: August 24, 2:30 AM EST to 5:00 AM EST
Where: Sandusky County, 1 mi N of Erlin to 1.24 mi NE of Erlin
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 41.384, -83.017

Reports of widespread road closures due to flooded and impassable roadways in northeast Sandusky County. Radar estimated 3 to 3.25 inches of rain fell in a 2 to 3 hour period preceding the flash flood event. Total rainfall of 4 to 4.5 inches fell over a 5 hour period.

Flood, Ashland

When: August 24, 3:00 AM EST to 1:00 PM EST
Where: Ashland County, 1.36 mi NNE of Lake Fork to 1.23 mi E of Paradise Hill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.769, -82.144

Continued areal flooding across northern Ashland County through the morning hours of August 24, 2023 due to heavy rainfall that began the previous evening. Widespread road closures continued due to flooding of creeks, streams, and rivers. Flooding was prolonged due to additional brief heavy rainfall during the mid morning hours of August 24, 2023.

Flash Flood, Lucas

When: August 24, 3:15 AM EST to 5:45 AM EST
Where: Lucas County, 0.14 mi WSW of Maumee to 2.68 mi SSW of Trilby
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $75,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 41.569, -83.653

Heavy rainfall caused extensive flooding of roadways in the Toledo metro area. Some flooded locations included Secor Road near Sylvania Avenue and also south of Central Avenue, and portions of Interstate 475. Multiple reports of cars being stranded due to driving into flooded roadways. Lower level apartment flooding was also reported in South Toledo. Radar estimates and measured rainfall reports indicated 2.25 to 3 inches of rain fell, primarily in a two hour period.

Flood, Ashland

When: August 24, 11:00 AM EST to August 25, 6:30 PM EST
Where: Ashland County, 0.1 mi WSW of Perrysville to 1.89 mi NNW of Perrysville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.650, -82.302

Moderate flooding along the Black Fork Mohican River near Loudonville. The river rose above the 10 foot flood stage midday on August 24, 2023, cresting at 11.27 feet during the morning of August 25, 2023. Flooding of RIverside Park and a canoe livery reported.

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Ohio in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Ohio, August 2023

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: 1147005, 1147028, 1148434, 1147029, 1148437, 1146964, 1148449, 1148450, 1154359, 1154361, 1146491, 1154381, 1154364, 1146558, 1146577, 1145147, 1144374, 1145126, 1154383, 1144367, 1144336, 1145152, 1144333, 1144334, 1145128, 1154373, 1144335, 1146920, 1142572, 1146919.