Superstorm Sandy brought record rainfall and major flooding to northern portions of Ohio in late October 2012. The flooding was the result of three consecutive weather events; a cold front, hurricane Sandy remnants, and lake enhanced showers. Rain started on October 26th as a slow moving cold front moved into the Ohio Valley. This front brought widespread 0.75 to 2.0 inches of rainfall to northern Ohio, highest near the lake. This rainfall did not produce flooding, but it raised streamflows and reduced flash flood guidance to around 1 inch for 6 hours.
By Monday the remnants of Hurricane Sandy moved into Pennsylvania, and the pressure gradient between it and high pressure over Missouri produced storm force winds over Lake Erie. Moisture from Sandy moved into the region producing an additional rainfall of 2 to 3 inches by Tuesday the 30th.  Rain continued at a rate averaging 0.1-0.2��� per hour for the day, but increased to 0.75��� per hour overnight and early Wednesday morning. This band of heavier rain caused the rivers which were receding to once again rise.
Areal flooding was limited to more northern counties; however some small streams and creeks came out of their banks as far south as Ashland County. Numerous roads were closed due to flooding over Cuyahoga, Lake, and Medina Counties from the persistent rain.  A flood watch was in effect for the lake front counties and flood advisories were issued during the event.
A few dozen homes and businesses were impacted as water inundated basements or first floors. A number of homes affected were located in the flood plain of the rivers or along the shoreline where the raised lake level combined with the increased streamflows to produce flooding in areas not typically affected. Two rivers along the lakeshore reached major flood, the Cuyahoga and the Huron Rivers. The rest of the Lake Erie tributaries saw minor or moderate flooding. Many basements flooded further inland as sump pumps failed due to power outages.

Flood in HURON, OHIO
From 30-OCT-12 06:00:00 to 30-OCT-12 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: NORWALK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Norwalk Reservoir located in Norwalk covers 8.6 square mile drainage area into the Norwalk Creek. The reservoir does not control outflow but does have a spillway on the west side when the reservoir is overtopped. Early Tuesday morning the reservoir filled and the water coming out of the spillway caused the Norwalk Creek to flood. One home on Elm Street flooded though several more were evacuated. Five businesses on Water Street were flooded with as much as 2 feet of water. Once driver was rescued after he drove his car into Water Street. Other local roads in Norwalk were flooded with no property damage.

Flood in ERIE, OHIO
From 30-OCT-12 12:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MILAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The small community called Franklin Flats located along the Huron River in western Milan is frequently inundated during times of flood. During Superstorm Sandy the Huron River reached major flood stage at 21 feet during the night of the 30th. At this stage the river inundated Franklin Flats community with about 2 feet of water. Being flood prone, the homes are elevated and citizens in the area moved valuable property out of the flood zone prior to the inundation. The property damage was minimal as a result.

Flood in LORAIN, OHIO
From 30-OCT-12 02:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELYRIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Black River at Elyria reached moderate flood stage during this event. The river rise was more gradual compared to climatology for this river due to the slow rainfall rates. The river came out of its banks and inundated Cascade Park, reaching some of the maintenance facilities. Damage was minimal.

Flood in LAKE, OHIO
From 29-OCT-12 04:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PAINESVILLE CNCRD AR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Grand River at Painesville rose above flood stage early on the morning of the 30th and continued to rise to about 13.0 feet. The river flooded the high trafficked Vrooman Road shutting it down for two days. Some other low lying roads near the river flooded, but the only property inundation was near the mouth and was more lakeshore flooding than river flooding. Some basements were inundated from failed sump pumps.

Flood in ERIE, OHIO
From 30-OCT-12 08:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: VERMILION
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

This event was unique for the Vermilion River, as well as most Lake Erie tributaries, as the water level along the lake rose about 2-3 feet above normal. Strong northerly gales combined with the higher water levels slowed discharge from the Vermilion River into the lake. The backup of water from the lake flooded portions along the Vermilion River near the mouth in a higher severity than was likely from the river alone. Several roads were closed and some minor property damage occurred. Along Riverside Drive the water came up about 2 to 3 feet above the street level flooding the garages and low lying property near the Vermilion River.

Flood in CUYAHOGA, OHIO
From 30-OCT-12 06:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (EST-5)
Location: BROOKLYN HGTS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Cuyahoga River at Independence experienced two crests during this event, both above major flood stage of 18.5 feet. The heaviest rain occurred during the evening of the 29th and again on the morning of the 31st. The rainfall rates were generally 0.1 to 0.2��� per hour, but during the heavier bands from Sandy rainfall rates jumped to almost 0.75��� per hour. The crest forecast called for a stage of 21 feet and the observed was 20.8 feet, 2.3 feet above major flood stage. The river was receding Tuesday but a band of heavy rain moved in Tuesday Night and Wednesday morning resulting in a second rise on the river. The second crest was 19.1 feet reached around noon Wednesday. Many roads in Valley View flooded. One vehicle was reported to have driven into the water and the driver had to be rescued. An estimated 20 homes had 3 to 4 feet of water, some as much as 6-7 feet, in their basements.