Heavy rains pummel Miami Valley
Forecast of continued rains could cause additional issues.
Threats of continued rain showers and severe damaging winds today could cause problems for low areas surrounding rivers and small creeks in the region.
Heavy rains continued to pound the region Saturday, causing major flooding in downtown Dayton and surrounding areas, and prompted a state of emergency to be called in Logan County.
“After days of rain, the ground throughout much, if not all the Miami Valley is saturated, so additional rain could lead to even more flooding issues,” said Carrieann Marit, Newscenter 7 meteorologist.
A failed city pump behind Requarth Co. Supply One Showroom on Monument Avenue in downtown Dayton caused streets to be flooded as water levels reached at least 18 inches, witnesses said.
Some motorists found themselves with stranded vehicles and the city opened the flood gates, said Dayton City Manager Warren Price.
“We’re taking all measures possible to get this water, which is currently receding and its receding quickly, taken care of,” Price said Saturday afternoon at the intersection of Monument and Sears.
The building at 447 E. Monument where Requarth is located suffered significant flood damage to its showroom as well as damage throughout the first floor, Price said.
In other parts of the region, Logan County commissioners declared a state of emergency because of flooded streets, and heavy rains caused some high-water problems in Springfield, Bethel Twp. and other parts of Clark County.
The state of emergency declaration in Logan County was done as a preemptive measure in anticipation of additional rainfall, but the situation is better than anticipated, authorities said.
“We haven’t seen near the damages that we were expecting to see,” said Kendra Campbell, administrative assistant at the Logan County Emergency Management Agency.
In Springfield, Villa Road was partially closed after a woman drove into high waters and became stuck, according to Springfield police. Good Samaritans helped the woman escape her submerged vehicle.
Firefighters in Beavercreek rescued a 61-yearold woman who became stranded with her vehicle in high waters on Factory Road.
They used a boat to reach the woman, who was checked out by a medic and found to be OK. Deputies with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office said the driver was cited under a new state law targeting motorists who ignore high water/ road closure signs.
The new law has increased the penalties for driving on a closed road, and fines can reach $2,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
A flood warning for Logan, Shelby, Auglaize, Mercer, Greene and Warren counties remained in effect until 8:45 a.m. today for areas surrounding major rivers or creeks.
It will be partly sunny to start today and will become breezy and warm with highs climbing into the mid to upper 80s, according to Marit.
“We are monitoring a cold front passing Sunday that will give us the chance for showers and storms developing into the afternoon. Some of the storms have the potential to be strong to severe with damaging winds, hail and heavy rain,” Marit said.
Marit warned that with the soft ground large trees and power-poles become more vulnerable during high-wind events.
On Monday, there is chance for an isolated afternoon shower or storm although most parts of the region will stay dry to start the new work week with high temperatures in the middle 80s, Marit said.