Thunderstorm Wind in Meigs County, Ohio

Trees and power lines were blown down along State Route 681 outside the town of Joppa.

Active weather in the form of flash flooding and strong thunderstorms prevailed over southeast Ohio on May 13th as a result of a nearby frontal boundary. The original front stalled across the Ohio Valley on the 11th, then dissolved over the area while a disturbance slowly approached from the southwest for the next several days. This set the stage for heavy downpours and strong thunderstorms amid the hot and humid airmass planted overhead.

During the afternoon and evening of May 13th, strong thunderstorms downed trees and power lines across portions of the area. Heavy rainfall within these storms also led to widespread half to one and a half in rainfall amounts, with a localized spots of 2 to 3 inch amounts within southeast Ohio. Heavy rain over previously saturated ground prompted flash flooding in Athens, Jackson, Meigs, and Perry Counties. This impacted not only local roadways, but also the first floors of several homes in Perry County along with a nearby church. The threat for severe weather and flash flooding came to an end on May 14th once a break in the weather pattern took shape with the help of building high pressure.