Flood in Lorain, Ohio

Heavy rain and runoff from snowmelt caused widespread flooding throughout Northeast Ohio during the first half of January. January 2005 was among the wettest January's ever. At Cleveland, 5.92 inches of precipitation was recorded making it the 3rd wettest January ever. Youngstown had it's 4th wettest January with 5.86 inches of precipitation. Other totals from the cooperative observer network included: 5.79 inches at Lagrange (Lorain County); 5.83 inches at Elyria (Lorain County); 6.10 inches at Oberlin (Lorain County); 6.52 inches at Ravenna (Portage County); 7.17 inches at Hiram (Portage County); 8.70 inches at Warren (Trumbull County); 5.41 inches at Kirtland (Lake County); 7.47 inches at Chardon (Geauga County); 6.13 inches at Ashtabula (Ashtabula County) and 5.85 inches at Dorset (Ashtabula County). In addition to this rain, extensive snowpack existed over Northeast Ohio at the beginning of the month. Temperatures in the upper 40s and 50s the first three days of the month caused a rapid snowmelt and brought area streams and creeks to bankfull just in time for a significant winter storm on the 5th and 6th. Then, just as things began to return to normal, heavy rains fell on the area on the 11th, 12th and 13th causing conditions to once again worsen. Many rivers, including the Mahoning, Cuyahoga and Black went into flood. Flooding along the Black River in Lorain County was particularly severe with at least ten homes needing evacuation in Carlisle Township. Mainly nuisance flooding occurred along the Mahoning and Cuyahoga Rivers with just minor damage and a few road closures reported. In addition, flooding was also reported along most of the streams and creeks in the area. Homes were damaged by flooding along Wolf Creek in Sharon Township (Medina County). In addition to the river and lowland flooding, sump pump failures caused by power outages from the ice storm of January 5th and 6th led to hundreds of homes sustaining damage from basement flooding. Many road closures were reported.