Flash Flood — Harrison, Ohio
2020-03-20 · near Unionvale, Harrison, Ohio
Event narrative
Numerous areas experienced flooding across Harrison, Carroll, and Tuscarawas county. One and half to three inches of rain occurred in parts of Eastern Ohio.
Two individuals died in flooded cars near swollen creeks. According to a local newspaper: A woman's body was found in her vehicle Saturday afternoon after it was washed off Route 800 north of Stillwater in Tuscarawas County and the body of 17-year-old Jack E. Roehrich, of Freeport, was found in his truck partially submerged in flood water near Skull Fork Road in Harrison County. Roehrich's truck was found near a bridge on Skull Fork Road in a ditch that leads to a larger nearby creek. Roehrich left home at approximately 7 p.m. Friday to look at flooding conditions in the eastern portion of the county. He reportedly contacted his parents at approximately 90 minutes later and said he was on his way home. Authorities said the water where the truck was found was approximately 11 feet deep. The water is believed to have been several feet deep on the roadway when Roehrich tried to drive through the area.
According to the Ohio Highway Patrol, a female driver ignored the 'road closed' signs on Route 800 near Stillwater in Tuscarawas County on Saturday afternoon. The woman was swept away and killed by the strong current. She did have time to call 911 and relatives in distress.
A woman in Mechanicstown in Carroll County a woman had to be rescued from her home Friday when waters from the Yellow Creek rose to four feet deep inside her house.
Article: https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/news/local/2020/03/23/two-ohio-motorists-drown-flooded-roads-over-weekend/2897005001/ .
Wider weather episode
A deepening low pressure system crossed the Great Lake region on March 20th and promoted heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms. Localized flooding had been anticipated for parts of Ohio since 2 inches of rain already fell 48 hours prior.
View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.2630, -80.9513)
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 879197. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.