Flash Flood in Summit County, Ohio

On Wednesday afternoon, July 10, the City of Akron experienced 3 to 4 inches of rain in an hour and a half. Flooding occurred causing the closings of roadways and expressways. Along with the roadway flooding, the City received reports of nearly 200 flooded basements. Widespread flooding was reported throughout the city and numerous homes, businesses, and vehicles were inundated by the rain.

Measured rainfall of 4 to 4.5 fell over Cuyahoga Falls on the evening of May 12th between 930 and 1130 pm. Doppler Radar Dual Pol estimated rainfall rates were in excess of 4 per hour around 945 pm. There was significant urban flooding as storm drains were overwhelmed by the excessively high rates. The return frequency for a rainfall event of this magnitude and duration is estimated around a 500 year event. Two adults needed to be rescued from a flooded basement on Dwight Street. Despite dozens of water rescues in the city proper, there were no fatalities or significant injuries. Most intersections in the city were impassable. Some roads near the Cuyahoga Valley sustained significant damage from overflowing creeks. |The City Hall sustained major damage as an estimated 30,000 gallons of water entirely from urban runoff filled their basement damaging $500,000 worth of computers. Approximately 1,000 homes sustained water damage, primarily to basements. Six homes were condemned due to extreme water damage. The flood was similar to the flash flood in 2003.

Pigeon Creek flooded homes near Springfield and Knox avenues in northwest Akron and Copley Township. Pigeon Creek inundated near 100 year, or 1 percent recurrence flood levels on the 17th. Pigeon Creek in eastern Barberton and northwest Akron received and estimated 5 inches of rain and resulted in over 100 year, or 1 percent recurrence flood levels. Akron Canton airport measured 4.63��� of rain on the morning of the 17th.