Flood in Stark County, Ohio

The Chippewa Creek, a tributary for the Tuscarawas River measured an estimated 7.34' between the 11th and 17th of June, again with 3 to 5 inches falling on the 16th and 17th. 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.

11 AM On June 18th, the flood gauge was 14.82 ft. which made it the fourth highest recording since 1913. Massillon is a City protected by extensive levee systems through most of the town. Therefore most of the city is not impacted by flood waters until major flood stage. Near 3rd St. ad Lake Ave there is water up to the foundation of 3-6 homes, water over 3rd SW St., and water up to the bottom of the bridge of Lake Ave. Further downstream in Navarre flood waters covered Center Street NW and Ohio Street SW (U.S. Route 62), a major thruway.

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.