During the early morning hours of July 19th a dissipating storm complex over Michigan reintensified as it moved over Lake Erie. These strong storms produced a narrow swath of 3 to 6 inches of rain fell over north central Ohio. The rainfall rates of around two inches per hour produced significant flash flooding. The most severely effected areas were Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, and Stark Counties.  The flooding was caused by runoff from torrential rainfall that exceeded the capacity of the small streams and storm water systems of several communities.  Water depth in the flooded areas was 1 to 3 feet deep, enough to fill basements and inundate the first floor of hundreds of homes and businesses. Despite being located on a hill, the Akron-Canton airport flooded due to the intensity of the rainfall.

Flash Flood in CUYAHOGA, OHIO
From 19-JUL-11 03:51:00 to 19-JUL-11 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WESTLAKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Lake enhanced storms moved off Lake Erie dropping 2 to 3 inches within 90 minutes over Cuyahoga County. Radar estimated as much as 4 inches over a stretch from southern Westlake into Olmsted Falls and east into Berea. As a result drainage systems were overwhelmed and roads rapidly filled with over 3 feet of water. A water rescue was conducted in North Olmsted near the mall.

Flash Flood in CUYAHOGA, OHIO
From 19-JUL-11 04:00:00 to 19-JUL-11 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHORT LINE JCT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Heavy rain fell over southern Cuyahoga County bringing 2 to 3 inches of rain over a 90 minute timeframe. In the Parma area the Big Creek overflowed its banks and flooded nearby businesses on Brookpark Road. Parma and Brooklyn Roads were also significantly flooded with two to three feet of water.

Flash Flood in SUMMIT, OHIO
From 19-JUL-11 03:45:00 to 19-JUL-11 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: (CAK)CANTON ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The maximum daily total precipitation that was reported by an official NWS cooperative weather observer was 4.84 inches at the Akron-Canton Airport (CAK). CAK Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) recorded the rain between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM of around 4 inches, with additional rainfall thereafter.  This rainfall event frequency falls around a 500 year recurrence interval, or 0.2% chance of occurring in a single year.  The heavy rain flooded the airport, shorting out the power supply. The automated rain gage failed at this point, but a backup rain gage observation supports the storm total. The basement of the airport flooded, along with the parking lots resulting in floating cars and significant damage to the vehicles. Flights were cancelled for half a day.

Flash Flood in SUMMIT, OHIO
From 19-JUL-11 04:15:00 to 19-JUL-11 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BATH CENTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 75.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Torrential rainfall with rates around two inches per hour brought around 4 to 6 inches of rain to Summit County. The heaviest rain fell from Akron and to the north and western part of the county. The maximum daily total precipitation that was reported by an official NWS cooperative weather observer was 4.84 inches at the Akron-Canton Airport (CAK). CAK Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) recorded the rain between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM of around 4 inches, with additional rainfall thereafter.  This rainfall event frequency falls around a 500 year recurrence interval, or 0.2% chance of occurring in a single year.  The town of Copley also experienced significant flooding along the Pigeon Creek where the heaviest rain fell. An apartment complex was inundated and rescues were made. Hundreds of homes and businesses experienced basement flooding with a few first floors inundated as well. In the town of Green residents testified to a historic flood in Spade Road area.

Flash Flood in STARK, OHIO
From 19-JUL-11 04:15:00 to 19-JUL-11 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: AULTMAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Nimishillen Creek, a tributary for the Tuscarawas River, reached major flood stage at the gage site in North Industry.  For the Nimishillen Creek, the majority of the rainfall fell over the western branch.  The west branch sub-watershed begins in Lake Township in northern Stark and near the Akron-Canton Regional Airport in the City of Green in Summit County.  Almost five inches of rain fell over the headwaters of the west branch that night, all of which drains into North Canton. A major tributary to the west branch is Zimber Ditch which begins around the Akron-Canton Airport and also flows directly south paralleling I-77 into Jackson Township.  Zimber Ditch has experienced more frequent flood problems over the last decade due to continued urban and suburban growth in the basin. Flooding along the Zimber Creek this event was responsible for a significant amount of the flood damage resulting in North Canton and downstream communities. The NWS forecast point for the Nimishillen Creek is located south of Canton in North Industry. By the time this site crested, the flooding was beginning to recede in Canton. By 9:00 AM the reported stage was of 11.14 FT and a flow over 6000 cfs, or major flood category.  This was the fifth highest flow for this gage site since records began in 1921.  Overal several hundreds of homes and businesses were flooded necessitating evacuations and moving residents into shelters which were opened earlier in response to the excessive heat the day before.  A number of water rescues were conducted, but no reports of injuries or fatalities.

Flash Flood in CUYAHOGA, OHIO
From 19-JUL-11 03:00:00 to 19-JUL-11 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CLEVELAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Rainfall amounts of 2 to 3.5 inches fell over Cleveland during a span of 60-90 minutes. Citywide flooding resulted as storm water systems were overwhelmed. Many roads including I 480 were flooded and closed for a brief period.