Flash Flood — Huron, Ohio

2006-06-21 to 2006-06-22 · near Countywide, Huron, Ohio

Event narrative

Thunderstorms dumped torrential rains on Huron County during the late evening hours of June 21st and early morning hours of the 22nd. Widespread and devastating flash flooding occurred as a result of this rain. Damage in the county was the worst since the storms of July 4th, 1969. Between 5 and 9 inches of rain fell on much of the county. Cooperative observers in Norwalk measured a storm total of 5.70 inches with a spotter report just south of town of 6.66 inches. Other reports included 6.0 inches in New London and 4.20 inches in Fitchville. Most of this rain fell in a three to four hour period. Runoff from this rain caused area streams and rivers to quickly rise. By 3 a.m. evacuations were under way in Norwalk where flood waters around two feet deep were already being reported on the ground floors of several homes. Evacuations were also conducted near Clarksfield around the same time. Many of these evacuations were conducted by boat. Water levels continued to rise as daybreak approached. Dozens of roads in the county were washed out or flooded with water in some areas several feet deep. Dozens of vehicles became stranded in the flood waters and many motorists had to be resuced by emergency personnel. The Norwalk area was especially hard hit. By 8 am on the 22nd, the city had effectively been cut in half by the flooding with Linwood Avenue the only accessible north/south route still open. Evacuations continued through the morning hours of the 22nd with residents along Elm Street evacuated after daybreak. Water Steet and Benedict Avenue were also hard hit with homes and business heavily damaged or destroyed. Significant flooding also was reported in New London where over 100 homes were damaged by flooding. See the accompanying flood write up for more damage estimates and information.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5518627. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.