CLEVELAND, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The National Weather Service has extended a flood warning for portions of north central and northwest Ohio until 2 p.m. Wednesday as heavy rainfall from persistent thunderstorms continues to impact the area.
The warning applies to Crawford, Huron, and Richland counties in north central Ohio, as well as Hancock, Seneca, and Wyandot counties in northwest Ohio. As of Wednesday morning, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated that between 1.5 and 3 inches of rain have already fallen across the warned area.
Forecasters warn that an additional 0.5 to 1 inch of rain is possible this afternoon, causing river gauges to continue rising. Flooding is either imminent or occurring in rivers, creeks, and low-lying, flood-prone locations.
Specific communities expected to experience flooding include Mansfield, Findlay, Tiffin, Fostoria, Shelby, Willard, Chatfield, and several surrounding villages such as New Washington, Sycamore, and Carey.
Safety officials are urging residents to exercise extreme caution near riverbanks and culverts, which can become unstable due to fast-moving water. Motorists are reminded to “turn around, don’t drown” when encountering water-covered roadways, as the majority of flood-related fatalities occur within vehicles.
For real-time safety and preparedness information, residents are encouraged to visit the National Weather Service website at weather.gov/safety/flood.