Flash Flood — Wayne, Ohio

2019-07-21 to 2019-07-22 · near Maysville, Wayne, Ohio

Event narrative

Rainfall estimated around 2 to 5 inches caused substantial damage in flash floods across central Wayne County. Preliminary damage assessments reported at least 25 homes categorized as either major damage or destroyed and 6 businesses severely affected. The most significant damage was located south of Wooster near US 250 in the Apple Creek basin. The Apple Creek Fire Department said four residents were rescued from their flooded home in the 5600 block of Dover Avenue by fire crews and a dive team, and that nearly all roads were impassable. At least 400 people were evacuated from Prairie Lane Lake Park campground and about a dozen others were rescued after flash flooding hit the southside of Wooster and areas south of the city.

Wider weather episode

Low pressure over west central Indiana moved slowly east in Ohio on the afternoon and evening of the 21st. The boundary slowed to a stationary front across central Ohio, becoming a catalyst for storm development. Rainfall rates of 2 to inches an hour occurred in the heaviest rainfall. The Weather Prediction Center highlighted an area along the US 30 corridor across central Ohio for a heightened risk of flash flooding. Thunderstorms increased in coverage and intensity around 4 PM lasting into the evening. Flash flooding occurred along a line from Wyandot to Mahoning Counties where rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches of rain fell.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.7097, -81.7788)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 846903. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.