Marion County, Ohio

An intense line of thunderstorms or Derecho moved across Marion County during the afternoon of June 29th causing extensive damage. Winds were estimated to be as much as 80 mph and a 62 mph gust was measured by an automated sensor on the north end of the county. Over 75 percent of residents lost power during this event. Power was not completely restored till July 5th. Hundreds, if not thousands of trees were downed across the county along with many utility poles forcing the closure of dozens of roads and streets. Damage to homes and buildings was also extensive. Hundreds of homes and buildings lost roofing or siding with many other homes damaged by fallen trees. At least one semi truck was overturned by the strong winds. 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 was comparable to the remnants of Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

Heavy rain and rapid snow melt led to widespread flooding across Marion County. Rainfall totals across the county ranged from one to three inches on February 27th and 28th. Up to ten inches of heavy snow was on the ground at the onset of the rain. This snow rapidly melted as temperatures warmed into the 50s on the 28th. Up to an additional inch of water equivalent rainfall was released from the melted snow. Several people had be rescued from stranded vehicles. Hundreds of homes in the county sustained damage, mainly from basement flooding. Many roads had to be closed because of the flooding. Officially 2.78 inches of rain was measured at the Marion Airport.

The Scioto River at La Rue in Marion County Ohio experienced it's worst flood in 50 years (03/05/63 15.95 feet) when it crested at a stage of 14.18 feet on December 22nd. This major flood surpassed the more recent floods February 28, 2011 by only 0.09 feet. The Scioto River will flood the outskirts of town before reaching the city limits. When the river comes out of banks, it quickly fills up the low lying town. The Kiwanis Village retirement community, an apartment complex for seniors inundated as much as 2 feet in some units, and reached the roofs of cars left in the parking lot. 100 people had to be evacuated. Access in and out of town were cut off by flood waters. The floods were the result of heavy rain tha fell on December 21st over saturated ground. Any snow had long since melted and the ground was not frozen. The basin average rainfall was around 3 inches.