Flash Flood in Stark County, Ohio

On the evening of June 18th heavy rain fell over northern Stark County between 6 and 7 PM. A automated rain gauge in Alliance measured 1.35 inches in that one hour. This intense rain on saturated ground and still flooded portions of town led to flash flooding and more intense damage to the Plain Township area. Two homes on Chaucer Street in Sherwood Village collapsed when their foundations gave way. Several other homes have sanitary sewer problems. More than 100 residents whose property sustained flood damage. 10-14 people were evacuated that evening from an apartment complex which was inundated with 18 of flood waters from a tributary of the Middle Branch of the Nimishillen Creek. Homes on Arboretum Circle were also evacuated on Wednesday night from the Zimber Ditch. Numerous roads sustained erosion and tar removal from the flowing water. Graybill Road between Massillon Road and Mayfair Road suffered erosion. Berna Road was closed for two weeks to repair two damaged pipes. Greensburg Road, near the 1600 block of Nimisila Road was also damaged by flood waters.

Portions of northern Stark County Ohio saw a series of thunderstorms with intense rain over three days. The first storm occurred primarily over the Canton/Northern Canton area with rainfall amounts around 3 inches. Between 4 AM and 6 AM on the morning of the 18th another thunderstorm rolled through north/northeast Stark County. This line of storms brought 1 to 1.5 inches of rainfall notably over the Louisville area. Later in the evening of the 18th a storm brought 1 to 1.5 inches to north/northwest Stark County. Each event unfolded with flash floods, the later ones enhanced by already saturated ground cover and backed up rivers and tributaries of the Nimishillen River. Overall an estimated 1,000 sustained some form of water damage, mostly in basements. Dozens of businesses were inundated and dozens of people were evacuated.