Flood — Stark, Ohio

2019-06-17 to 2019-06-22 · near Canal Fulton, Stark, Ohio

Event narrative

Heavy rain over the headwaters of the Tuscarwas River were averaged 7.65' for from June 11 through the 17th, with 3 to 5 inches falling on the 16th and 17th. The Tuscarawas River basin average rainfall for June 11 through June 17th was 7.58' with 3 to 5' falling during the 16th and 17th. As a result of concurrent major flooding on the tributary Chippewa Creek and the headwaters of the Tuscarawas River resulted in a flood near the 0.2 percent or 500 year flood level at the confluence in Canal Fulton and Clinton. Downstream of Canal Fulton the Tuscarawas River reached a near 1 percent recurrence flood, or 100 year event in the City of Massillon.

In Canal Fulton, just downstream of Clinton, flood levels were higher than a 1 percent or 100 year flood, but less than a .2 percent or 500 year flood level. It was the worst since 1913 flood levels. Most of the flood waters were captured between the railroad tracks to the west and inundated mainly recreational and park areas on the east side of the river. At least 3 home had inundation on a first floor, dozens of others had inundation of basements. One neighborhood of 30 homes was cut off due to flooding on the only access road Millhaven Road. These homes were cut off for about a week before flood waters receded enough to allow passage.

Wider weather episode

A stationary front supported widespread showers and thunderstorms across northern and central Ohio. During the overnight of June 16th into the morning of the 17th heavy showers developed along this boundary. Warm and humid conditions with precipitable water values around 1.75-2.0' supported very efficient rainfall with rainfall rates exceeding 3 inches per hour. Three day totals in this area were 3 to 6 inches with saturated ground conditions and already swollen rivers and creeks. The National Weather Service had a flood watch in effect for the entire region. Numerous flash floods on the 16th and continued wet ground conditions supported rapid runoff with the rainfall during the early morning of the 17th. The additional rainfall 1.5 to 2.5 inches triggered flash floods and significant river flooding across the Tuscarawas watershed. Hundreds of homes and businesses in southern Summit County were flooded in Norton, Barberton, Clinton, New Franklin, and Copley Township. Canal Fulton (Stark County), Rittman (Medina and Wayne County), Chippewa Lake (Medina County), and Massillon (Stark County) also sustained major damage.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.9046, -81.5976)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 839388. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.