Flood watch issued for parts of Ohio, including Ashland, Richland, Knox counties

CLEVELAND — The National Weather Service in Cleveland has placed the region in a flood watch for Friday. 

NWS issued the flood watch around 2 p.m. on Thursday, ahead of a forecasted wintry mix of rain and snow expected to hit the area Friday morning. 

The area includes Ashland, Richland, Crawford and Knox counties and is in effect through all day Friday.

“Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas,” reads the NWS watch. 

The storm is expected to bring 1 to 1 1/2 inches of rain across the region, with locally higher amounts in northwest Ohio.

A watch means people should be prepared. 

“A flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible,” reads the NWS website.

A warning issued when a flood is imminent or actually happening.

An advisory is issued when a weather event is expected to “be a nuisance” and not bad enough to trigger a warning.