SALEM, Ohio – Spring thunderstorms rumbled across Ohio and western Pennsylvania last week, bringing farming activities in many locations to a standstill.
Many fields in low-lying areas were still flooded as of Monday.
Like all precipitation, the rains didn’t hit all areas equally. Ashland County was hit hard Friday and Saturday, with Ashland measuring 1.92 inches just over the two days.
Findlay was pounded with 1.31 inches on Friday and another 1.91 inches Saturday.
The west central area of the state received the most rain, 3.72 inches, followed by the northwestern region, which received an average of 3.64 inches and central Ohio, with 3.45 inches. Since April 1, northwestern Ohio has received 7.41 inches of rain and central Ohio, 7.21 inches.
Southwestern Pennsylvania was the hardest hit region of the commonwealth. Waynesburg received 4.55 inches of rain last week; Meyersdale, 3.34 inches.
Butler, Pa., recorded 2.64 inches last week; New Castle, 2.34 inches; and Slippery Rock, 2.38 inches.
In northwestern Pa., the Meadville region received the most rain at 2.01 inches last week.
Farmland flooded. The rains created flooding in several parts of Ohio.
In Coshocton County, a flood warning was in effect for the Muskingum River. Flood stage is 13 feet and the river crested at 14.4 feet. Bottomlands were also flooded.
New Castle in far western Coshocton County received 1.55 inches in a 24-hour period Friday and Saturday.
Both the Maumee and Scioto rivers crested or neared their crest by Monday morning.
Flood stage on the Maumee at Defiance is 10 feet; the National Weather Service measured a stage of 12 feet Monday morning.
The high water flooded low roads and fields near there as well as farmland near the river at Napoleon.
River flood warnings continued through Monday for the Scioto River at Piketon in southern Ohio. Scioto River bottomland areas near Circleville also were flooded.
Minor flooding also occurred near Stryker, along the Tiffin River.
The Auglaize River near Fort Jennings peaked at 14 feet Monday morning, a foot over flood stage. Minor flooding occurred in the northwest Ohio counties of northwest Allen, northeast Van Wert and southwest Putnam counties, with farmland nearest the Auglaize River being affected by flood water.
The Blanchard River near Ottawa also crested at 26 feet Monday, well above the flood stage of 23 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
High winds. As if the rains weren’t enough to contend with, high wind gusts also buffeted much of Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
In southwestern Ohio’s Highland County, an area northeast of Lynchburg in experienced wind damage from gusts up to 70 mph. A roof was blown off a mobile home and several trees at least 2 feet in diameter were snapped near the base of the trunk.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio, said the damage was not caused by a tornado, but by straight-line winds.
Even hail damage was reported in some of the wheat fields across Ohio.
Forecast. Although the rains stopped the early part of this week, allowing swollen rivers and creeks to subside, rains today (Thursday) and throughout this coming weekend will create an additional threat.
The National Weather Service is calling for cloudy or partly cloudy weather, with temperatures in the low- to mid-60s, and a chance of rain every day through Sunday, May 18.
The extended forecast through May 25 calls for above-normal precipitation.
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