Heavy rains are expected in Richland and surrounding counties through this weekend. The rain, coupled with ground that is already saturated with snow melt, prompted the National Weather Service in Cleveland (NWS) to issue a flood watch on Friday. However, the flood watch has been upgraded to a flood warning with the potential for “significant flooding.”
A “Flood Watch” indicates a high flow or overflow of water from a river is possible in the given time period. It can also apply to heavy runoff or drainage of water into low-lying areas. The heightened alert to a “Flood Warning” means flooding is imminent in the warning area or may actually occur. The flood warning is in effect through Sunday.
Water has begun to accumulate on low areas of roads in Richland County and river levels are nearing the banks in some areas. Some Richland County areas that typically see road closures are already approaching flood stage including in the Bellville and Butler area.
At 12 p.m., the Clear Fork River east of Bellville had reached the edge of the road below the cemetery. At Gatton Rocks, near Butler, the Clear Fork was also significantly swollen and approaching the bottom of the bridge on Cutnaw Road at Wade & Gatton Nurseries.
Today the Hazardous Weather Outlook includes all of north central Ohio, northeast Ohio, northwest Ohio, and northwest Pennsylvania. According to the NWS, the rain will be heavy at times today and tonight. The heaviest rain is expected to exit the area by early Sunday but the flood threat will continue as runoff will contribute to continued accumulation on local rivers.
