Flash Flood — Noble, Ohio

1998-06-27 to 1998-06-30 · near Countywide, Noble, Ohio

Wider weather episode

Another round of thunderstorms starting on the evening of the 27th created widespread flash flooding throughout Noble County. These floods caused five deaths during the evening of the 27th and early morning hours of the 28th. In Caldwell, a 90-year-old man and 89-year-old woman were killed as flash flooding from the nearby Duck Creek washed part of their home away. Numerous roadways across the county were closed. However, two fatalities occurred as people tried to drive through water on the roads. Two more deaths occurred in Caldwell as a 71-year-old and 31-year-old man were killed when they tried to drive their cars through high water. In Belle Valley, a 37-year-old man was killed when he attempted to swim in the flood waters of the West Fork of the Duck Creek after being stranded on the roof of a building. Several rescues by boat were required across the county. The hardest hit areas were the Mount Ephriam, Fredericksdale, Belle Valley, and Caldwell area. In addition to flooded private homes, many businesses in towns across the county suffered extensive damage, losing most of their inventory and equipment.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5668504. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.