Ashland County, Ohio

Heavy rain producing thunderstorms affected Ashland County during the late evening hours of August 20th and early morning hours of August 21st. Rainfall totals from across the county included: 3.32 inches at Ashland; 3.46 inches at Jeromesville; 5.18 inches at Mifflin and 4.02 inches at Loudonville. Runoff from this rain combined with ground already saturated from earlier rains led to significant flooding across portions of Ashland County. Widespread lowland flooding occurred across the county and many roads had to be closed because of flooding. Some of the worst flooding occurred near Loudonville after the Black Fork of the Mohican River quickly rose and left it's banks. Many homes and businesses along and near the river sustained flood damage. Hundreds of other homes in the county suffered damage, mainly from basement flooding. Finally, standing water and erosion from the runoff caused damage to agricultural interests in the county. |

A storm survey was conducted and an EF1 tornado was confirmed in northeastern Ashland County. The tornado touched down northeast of Sullivan along Black River School Road just to the west of the Medina County line. Two school buildings were damaged by the tornado. One of the schools lost a section of roofing over a gymnasium. Sections of roofing along the remainder of the building were lifted and buckled by tornado winds. Significant amounts of rain water got into the building as a result of this roof damage. Water damage in the school was extensive and the gymnasium floor will need replacement. A modular building used as a classroom also sustained damage. Fences surrounding recreational fields at the school were also damaged. A house across the road from the schools was slightly damaged and a communication tower nearby was toppled. Many trees were downed. The tornado had a damage path around one half mile in length and about 30 yards in width.

An intense line of thunderstorms or Derecho moved across southern Ashland County during the afternoon of June 29th causing extensive damage. Winds were estimated to be as much as 65 mph. Over 50 percent of residents in the southern third of the county lost power during this event. Power was not completely restored for several days. Hundreds of trees were downed across the county along with many utility poles forcing the closure of some of roads and streets. Damage to homes and buildings was also extensive. Dozens of homes and buildings lost roofing or siding with many other homes damaged by fallen trees. Clean up costs were extensive. The clean up was hampered by an ongoing heat wave with afternoon temperatures in the upper 90s. Significant crop losses are also expected. Damage from this storm in southern Ashland County was comparable to the remnants of Hurricane Ike in September 2008.