Flash Flood in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Severe thunderstorms tracked over western portions of Cuyahoga Ccounty during the afternoon hours of the 20th. By late afternoon, a second band of thunderstorms developed and tracked over the same area. Heavy rain was associated with both rounds of storms. Flash flooding quickly developed as the rain overwhelmed the storm sewers. In North Olmsted, there were reports of water up to the first floor windows of several homes. Water quickly rose to at least 3 feet in depth in the Great Northern Shopping Mall parking lot submerging dozens of cars and causing others to stall. Floodwaters also flowed into the lower level of the shopping mall. Water along the Rocky River rose quickly at the Rocky River Reservation. A small bridge over the river became impassable with several inches of water flowing over it. A tunnel used for the transit system near Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport was also flooded. There were numerous reports of basement flooding. Several streets and highways from downtown Cleveland westward saw substantial flooding. Flood waters three to four feet deep were reported in many areas. Several vehicles were trapped or submerged in the flood waters. Officially for the day, Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport received 3.55 inches of rainfall. Report from other locations in western Cuyahoga County included 5.50 inches in Parma and 4.10 inches measured in North Olmsted.