Flash Flood — Geauga, Ohio

2010-05-31 · near Chardon, Geauga, Ohio

Event narrative

Slow moving thunderstorms dumped locally heavy rainfall on portions of Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga Counties. Rainfall rates of between two and three inches per hour caused flash flooding. The worst flooding occurred in Chester Township in northwestern Geauga County. An automated rain gauge just east of Chesterland measured 3.62 inches of rain with most of this rainfall falling between noon and 1:30 pm. Flooding along several streams and small rivers was reported in Chester Township. Extensive flooding was reported in a neighborhood just southwest of the intersection of U.S. Route 322 and State Route 306. Homes along Marilyn Drive and Wyandot Road had up to two feet of water on their ground floors. Several people had to be rescued from their homes. A large portion of the downtown business district in Chesterland saw flood waters at least two feet deep. Extensive damage was reported to most of the businesses. Portions of U.S Route 322 and State Route 306 were washed out. Damage was also reported to several other state routes in the area. Significant flooding was also reported along County Line Road in Chagrin Falls. Dozens of streets had to be briefly closed because of flooding. An 18 year old had to be rescued from the Chagrin River in Russell Township. Flood waters reportedly toppled many trees along the river near where rescue occurred. The West Geauga School District had to cancel classes on June 1st because of flood damage. Hundreds of homes sustained flood damages during this event. Most of the damage was from basement flooding, but a few dozen buildings and homes did sustain major damage.

Wider weather episode

A warm front lifted north across northern Ohio during the afternoon hours of May 31st. A cold front followed during the evening. Showers and thunderstorms developed in association with both of these fronts. Slow moving thunderstorms produced heavy rainfall which caused flash flooding in a few areas. Rainfall rates at times were between two and three inches per hour. A few locations received more than four inches of rainfall. The flooding was the worst in western Geauga County were the damage was extensive. A few storms also became severe with minor damage reported.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 230456. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.