Flood in Washington County, Ohio

The Little Muskingum at Bloomfield rose above a bankfull level of 16 feet the morning of May 23rd. After reaching a crest around 17.8 feet, the river receded back below bankfull in the afternoon. Impacts include flooding of Route 26 near the intersection with Route 260, as well as flooding of fields between Route 26 and the river.

A warm front was lifted into the area by a passing low on the 23rd of May, then the front stalled over central West Virginia and southwest Virginia through the 24th. Another low eventually pushed the boundary northward and then steered a cold front west to east across the area on the 25th.

Rounds of rain and thunderstorms traversed southeast Ohio, with most robust activity occurring in the afternoon and evening hours of the 23rd and 24th. Much of southeast Ohio received one to two and a half inches of rain during this time, along with pockets of three to four and a half inch accumulations. Excessive rainfall flooded roads in Athens, Jackson, Perry, Morgan, Gallia, Meigs, and Lawrence counties and led to minor flooding on portions of Sunday Creek, Duck Creek, and the Little Muskingum.