Flood — Hancock, Ohio

2011-02-28 · near Findlay, Hancock, Ohio

Event narrative

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Hancock County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to three inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from stranded vehicles. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding, mainly in downtown Findlay. The Blanchard River reached 16.42 feet,the 6th highest crest of record. Both the Lye and Eagle Creeks reached major flood stages as well. Officially Mt. Blanchard observed 2.32 inches of rain, with Findlay reporting 2.08 inches.

Wider weather episode

A strong area of low pressure moved northeast across Ohio on February 28th. Heavy rain fell over northern Ohio in association with this low. Rainfall totals of between one and three inches were reported. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was one the ground at daybreak on the 27th. Temperatures warmed into the 40s on the 27th and eventually reached the 50s on the 28th. This resulted in a rapid snow melt that released up to another inch of liquid equivalent rainfall. The snow melt and the rain combined to create widespread flooding. Rapid rises in area streams and rivers occurred with near record crests eventually reported at some river locations. Some flash flooding was also reported. A woman was killed near Norwalk after her car was swept off of the road by flood waters. Dozens of water rescues were reported and hundreds of people had to be evacuated from their homes. Dozens of roads had be closed because of flooding and washouts were reported in several counties. Over a thousand homes were damaged by flooding. Damage estimates from northern Ohio topped $30 million for this event.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.1323, -83.7858)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 286966. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.