Cleveland, OH – Communities across northeast and northwest Ohio are preparing for potential flooding as a multi-day rainfall event moves into the region starting Wednesday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Cleveland, a Flood Watch has been issued from Wednesday night through Sunday morning for 22 counties, including Lucas, Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark, and Richland. The affected area stretches from Toledo to Akron and includes major cities such as Cleveland and Canton.
Forecasters expect several rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall, with totals between 3 and 5 inches possible by the end of the weekend. The excessive runoff could cause flooding in low-lying areas, along rivers, and in urban zones with poor drainage. Street flooding and creek overflows are likely if rainfall rates intensify overnight or during peak travel hours.
Residents are urged to monitor local alerts and prepare for rapidly changing conditions. Safety officials recommend clearing storm drains, avoiding flooded roads, and preparing emergency kits in case of evacuation.
This flood event follows a relatively dry March, raising concerns that saturated ground will increase the flooding risk. Updates and safety tips can be found at weather.gov/safety/flood.
