Lakeshore Flood — Sandusky, Ohio

2020-05-16 to 2020-05-19 · Sandusky, Ohio

Event narrative

State Route 53 and 523 was closed due to high water. County Road 260 south of State Route 6 had high water.

Wider weather episode

A strengthening area of high pressure of James Bay extended down over Lake Erie. At the same time, an area of low pressure over the Central Plains increased the pressure gradient over the local area resulting in increased winds out of the east northeast. This persistent wind lead to water level rises in the western basin.

Water levels at Marblehead were elevated during a period of persistent northeast winds between May 16th through 18th. The water levels peaked at 75 inches around midnight on the 18th. In Toledo the water levels were elevated around 78 inches for much of the 17th through the 18th, finally peaking on the evening of the 18th again around midnight at a level of 88.2 inches above normal water levels.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 890647. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.