Flash Flood — Summit, Ohio

2004-05-22 · near Countywide, Summit, Ohio

Event narrative

During the early morning hours of May 22nd, heavy rain producing thunderstorms moved across Summit County for the third time in less than 24 hours. Rainfall totals of one to three inches were common across the county. Rainfall rates with the stronger storms approached two inches per hour. A spotter in Munroe Falls measured 4.53 inches of rain between daybreak on May 21st and daybreak on the 22nd. A cooperative observer in Cuyahoga Falls measured 3.39 inches of rain during that same period. This rain combined with ground already saturated from earlier storms led to the renewal of widespread flooding in the county. The Coventry, Copley, Tallmadge, Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, Stow and Norton areas were among the worst damaged in the county. Flooding in some of these cities was reported to be the worst in over 30 years. In Barberton and Norton, extensive flooding occurred after Wolf Creek left it's banks. A dam on Hudson Run was nearly destroyed after flood waters began flowing around the dam. Water on some streets was reported to be as much as three feet deep. Over $1 million in damage occurred along Barber Road in Norton after 20 homes and 23 businesses were flooded. Several culverts were washed out in both Norton and Barberton. Several people were evacuated from homes along Pardee and Graham Roads in Stow around 2 a.m. Dozens of roads in the county had to be closed because of washouts or significant flooding. Damage to roads and other government property from the storms on the 21st and 22nd topped $2.2 million. Hundreds of private residences and businesses sustained flood damage. Initial estimates that as many as 500 homes sustained significant damage. Dozens of vehicles were also damaged.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5401792. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.