Flash Flood in Medina County, Ohio

Thunderstorms dumped torrential rains on Medina County during the early morning hours of May 21st resulting in the worst flooding seen in the county since 1969. The northern portion of the county including the Brunswick area was especially hard hit. Heavy rain fell between 2 and 5 a.m. and caused several small streams to leave their banks. Rainfall rates were between one and two inches per hour with storm totals of up to three inches measured by spotters in both Brunswick and Hinckley. Bucket surveys indicate that as much as 4 to 5 inches of rain may have fallen in some areas. This rainfall combined with ground already saturated from heavy rains the previous few days led to widespread flooding. Over 120 homes sustained significant damage from flooding in Brunswick. Residents of several of these homes had to be evacuated around 5 a.m. Dozens of roads had to be closed in the northern portion of the county with water on some Brunswick streets as much as two and a half feet deep. Many automobiles became trapped in the flood waters. Rainfall totals of two to three inches were also reported near Chippewa Lake where extensive flooding occurred at Gloria Glens Park. Approximately 25 people had to be evacuated from Gloria Glens Village. Flood waters were up to two feet deep on the ground floors of some of the homes in the village. Widespread street flooding was also reported in Medina where at least three automobiles became stranded. Hundreds of homes elsewhere across Medina County experienced basement flooding.