Flash Flood — Athens, Ohio

2025-07-14 · near Hockingport, Athens, Ohio

Event narrative

Flood waters were observed at the entrance of Desonier State Park. Visitors were unable to get out due to flood waters and a tree down blocking the road. A road was also washed out near Coolville.

Wider weather episode

Beginning on July 14th, a cold front eased towards the Ohio River and remained in the vicinity of southeast Ohio until decaying on the 16th. Daytime heating and passing disturbances aloft prompted daily afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms amid a warm and very moist air mass while the front held residency overhead.

Storms on the 14th were very efficient rainfall producers, depositing one to two inches of precipitation in a short period of time. The highest rain amounts, around two to three inches, fell across portions of southeast Ohio and northwest West Virginia. In Athens County, flash flooding impacted roads and trapped two vehicles. Additionally, there was one instance of a downed tree in Vinton County on the afternoon of July 16th due to strong winds attached to thunderstorms that formed in the area. The risk for severe weather and flooding came to an end on the evening of the 16th once the front dissipated and departed out of the area.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.2014, -81.7951)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1268178. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.