A strong southerly flow, ahead of a cold front, transported very moist air through Tennessee, Kentucky and into southeast Ohio.  Surface dew points were in the mid and upper 60s.  Wave after wave in the mid and upper levels helped trigger widespread showers, with embedded thunderstorms.  These training rains first affected Jackson and Vinton Counties between 0500E and 0600E on Sunday May 2nd.  The heaviest rains arched into Athens County and eventually sank slowly south, to affect Lawrence, Gallia, and Meigs Counties later in the day.
The rains continued into the evening hours on the 2nd, then diminished during the late evening.  However, some light rain lingered until after midnight on the 3rd.
The rain amounts over about an 18 to 20 hour period were mostly 3.5 to 4.5 inches across Lawrence, Jackson, Viinton, Gallia, Meigs, and Athens Counties.  Waterloo in northern Lawrence County reported 4.8 inches for the maximum.  McArthur in Vinton County and Jackson in Jackson County both measured around 4.3 inches.  The town of Athens had 4.1 inches, while Gallipolis had 3.9 inches, and South Point measured 3.8 inches.  An automatic gauge in Gallia County, between Gallipolis and Rio Grande measured 3.7 inches.
Small stream flooding was common.  Roads were flooded. Some small bridges and culverts were washed out.  Two men drowned near the Athens County line in Morgan County.

Flood in MORGAN, OHIO
From 02-MAY-10 12:15:00 to 03-MAY-10 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BISHOPVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Roads were flooded, but damage to dwellings was minimal.  Two brothers from Athens County died while on a fishing trip.  Their flooded vehicle was found along the East Branch of Sunday Creek above Burr Oak Reservoir.  Apparently, they drove into the high water at night, during the early morning hours on the 3rd.  One body was found inside the vehicle.  The second body was not found until the next morning, about a mile downstream.

Flood in WASHINGTON, OHIO
From 02-MAY-10 15:00:00 to 03-MAY-10 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CUTLER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous roads were closed by flooded creeks.

Flood in LAWRENCE, OHIO
From 02-MAY-10 15:00:00 to 03-MAY-10 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PINE GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

During the heavy rain, 13 of the 15 fire departments in the county were responding to water related incidents.  At least 15 water rescues were conducted by the fire departments and law enforcement.  The county declared a local emergency.
Throughout the county, 6 dwellings were destroyed, 8 had major damage, and 14 had minor damage.  The Red Cross provided temporary housing to 6 families, while many other displaced residents stayed with family or friends.  A large landslide damaged County Route 5 along Elkins Creek.

Flood in MEIGS, OHIO
From 02-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 03-MAY-10 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LONG BOTTOM
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous roads were flooded by overflowing small streams.

Flood in ATHENS, OHIO
From 02-MAY-10 10:45:00 to 03-MAY-10 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALBANY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 200.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Small streams such as Dutch Creek began to flood near midday, then became more widespread during the evening hours.  About 20 county roads were closed.  Several water rescues were done, along roads that had not yet been shut down.  Vehicles stalled in the flood waters of Federal Creek near Amesville was one such incident.

Flood in GALLIA, OHIO
From 02-MAY-10 15:00:00 to 03-MAY-10 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MERCERVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous roads were flooded by small feeder streams into Raccoon Creek.

Flood in VINTON, OHIO
From 02-MAY-10 11:00:00 to 03-MAY-10 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: RAY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 175.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The first report of flooding was around midday as the headwaters of Raccoon Creek, including Wiselabout Creek, flooded Route 278.  Numerous other creeks overflowed and blocked roads.

Flood in JACKSON, OHIO
From 02-MAY-10 14:00:00 to 03-MAY-10 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: OAK HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous roads were flooded by overflowing streams. Some evacuations occurred in the headwater area of Symmes Creek in the Oak Hill vicinity.