The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
STORMS CAUSE LOCAL SEVERE FLOODING
Severe weather spawns ‘100-year flood’ in Cleveland
The Cuyahoga River saw historic flood levels March 29, as heavy rains also affected other areas of Northeast Ohio.
The National Weather Service stated that at 7:30 a.m. the Cuyahoga River levels reached the 7th highest ever recorded at the gauge near Independence.
“It is a FEMA 1% flood, commonly known as a 100 year flood,” the National Weather Service stated.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the term “100-year flood” is used in an “attempt to simplify the definition of a flood that statistically has a 1-percent chance of occurring in any given year.
The highest observation was 21.62 feet at 9:30 a.m. according to the National Weather Service. Waters above 17 feet is considered flooding. Over 21 feet is considered major flooding. The highest record water level on the Cuyahoga River is 23.3 feet according to the
agency.
Lake County also experienced flooding March 29.
The storms caused the closure of Interstate 90 at state Route 615 eastbound for about two hours, starting around 6:24 a.m., according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Flooding also caused the closure of state Route 306 between Kirtland Road and Markell Road, with Markell Road closed at the Waite Hill border, Kirtland Hills police stated in a 7:17 a.m. Facebook post. In a 9:52 a.m. update, the department stated the road would remain closed for an undetermined amount of time as the road was being cleared, after which the bridge was tested for structural integrity. The road ultimately reopened around 4:30 p.m.
At 10:48 a.m., the city of Willoughby stated that Daniels Park was closed due to flooding.
“Please avoid creeks and ditches with high water as currents are very strong under what might be a calm surface,” the city stated. “Also, please avoid roads where flooding is occurring as manholes can become dislodged and dangerous for cars and pedestrians. When floodwaters recede, we will be out checking for damage.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office took advantage of the situation, with the day shift road patrol unit conduct a training mission highlighting water resume equipment and techniques.
“The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is fortunate to have several Deputy Sheriff’s, who are water rescue and rescue dive certified,” the department stated in a Facebook post. “Deputy Majewski and Deputy Rowland provided us with extremely beneficial instruction on how to properly and safely conduct a water rescue mission in the event an incident of that nature occurred in the future.”
The department reminded drivers not to drive on flooded roads.
“Turn around...don’t drown,” the department stated.