MANSFIELD — North central Ohio was in the eye of the storm on Friday night, and it’s impact can be seen throughout the region Saturday.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning in effect until 11 p.m. that covers portions of Ashland, Crawford, Knox, Marion, Morrow and Richland counties. Small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is occurring. Numerous roads remain closed due to flooding. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall.
Please visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety and preparedness information.
The National Weather Service stated that at 10:53 Saturday morning, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms Friday night.
Flooding has already occurred in the warned area. Between 2.5 and 4.5 inches of rain have fallen.
Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible in the warned area this afternoon and evening with another round of showers and thunderstorms.
Some locations that will experience flooding include but are not limited to: Mansfield, Marion, Mount Gilead, Galion, Ontario, Lexington, Crestline, Loudonville, Fredericktown, Cardington, Bellville, Hayesville, Glenmont, Chesterville, Nashville, Waterford, Butler, Perrysville, Lucas and Caledonia.
Flooding is ongoing for several area rivers and creeks. Flooding has been reported on the Clear Fork of the Mohican River near Butler, the Black Fork of the Mohican River near Loudonville and near Charles Mill Lake, and Whetstone Creek near Mount Gilead.
(Story continues below these photos by Marge Allred)
Weather forecast
The National Weather Service Forecast calls for a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. on Saturday. It will be partly sunny, with a high near 77. South winds will reach up to around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Overnight, showers and a thunderstorm are possible before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers between 2 and 3 a.m.
Temperatures will begin to fall, with the low around 41. West wind will reach around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
The chance of precipitation is 90 percent with new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
On Sunday, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. West wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts up to as high as 28 mph.
On Sunday night it will be partly cloudy with the thermometer continuing to fall to a low of around 33. West winds will blow up to 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
On Monday there’s a slight chance of showers before 2 p.m. It will be partly sunny, with a high near 49. West winds will range between 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
On Monday night, the temperature will plunge to a low of 28.
Precautionary measures
The National Weather Service advises these precautionary/preparedness actions:
Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe.