Low pressure tracked through the central Great Lakes bringing widespread rain to the area along with temperatures in the mid 40s.  This warm up was preceded by a significant snow event on the 19th and 20th which produced widespread snow amounts from 6 to 16 inches. Temperatures then dropped below freezing reaching as low as 10 degrees below zero on the 21st. This cold snap resulted in ice growth on area rivers. By the 23rd the ground had frozen and the snowpack remained dense. The rain on the 23rd into the 24th was between 0.5 and 1.5 inches, heaviest in the areas of highest snowpack. The majority of the snowpack melted, contributing 0.5-0.75 inches of runoff.  Ten river forecast points exceeded flood stage, with the Scioto River at La Rue reaching moderate flood stage.  Several roads flooded across the region, though mainly in typical low water crossing. At least two ice jams developed that resulted in flooding in evacuations; one at the Vermilion River in Vermilion, the other on the Chagrin River in Eastlake.

Flood in HANCOCK, OHIO
From 24-JAN-19 15:00:00 to 24-JAN-19 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FINDLAY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Local Official

The Eagle Creek in Findlay reached a stage of 10.9 feet midday on the 24th.  Flooding was reported but impacts were dampened due to the fact that the main stem Blanchard River was not in flood.  Flood waters inundated portions of South Blanchard Street, Brookside Drive, Fremont and Graceland Streets. The intersections of Beechmont Drive with Fairmont and Rosemont Drives also flooded.

Flash Flood in ERIE, OHIO
From 23-JAN-19 22:20:00 to 24-JAN-19 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: VERMILION
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

River ice estimated between 6 and 8 inches thick developed along the Vermilion River during a cold snap around the 21st. Rain and snowmelt on the 23rd caused the river ice to break up and jam. The jam was reported by local authorities to the NWS around 1025 PM EST. By 1144 PM evacuations were underway with swift water rescue teams. In all 11 people were rescued including children. There were at least 40 homes impacted by the ice and flood waters which measured 2 to 5 feet deep.  Reports from a resident that there were no flood waters at 10 pm, 2 feet of water starting encroaching on homes by 1030 pm, and by 11 pm had doubled to 4 feet deep.

Flood in LAKE, OHIO
From 23-JAN-19 15:30:00 to 24-JAN-19 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LAKE LINE
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The combination of rain, snowmelt, and river ice produced an ice jam on January 23rd. At 330 PM the river came out of banks in Eastlake. The first location to flood was Trader Jacks Riverside Grille. At approximately 1000 PM the river rose to about 15 feet with large ice chunks. The flood waters inundated West Island and Admiral Drive in Eastlake, resulting in swift water rescues. In all six families needed rescue. Erie Road was also cut off by floodwaters and ice.

Flood in TRUMBULL, OHIO
From 24-JAN-19 20:00:00 to 25-JAN-19 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRACEVILLE
Flood cause: Ice Jam
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Eagle Creek in Braceville Ohio crested at 12.8 feet on the evening of the 24th. The flooding as exasperated by river ice which resulted in more significant flooding on area roads than a stage of 12.8 feet would normally support.  The most impacted roads were Eagle Creek Road, Braceville Robinson Road, and Barclay Messerly Road.

Flood in MARION, OHIO
From 24-JAN-19 22:00:00 to 25-JAN-19 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LA RUE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Local Official

The Scioto River at La Rue crested at 13.04 feet on the night of the 24th. When the Scioto exceeds 13.00 feet the river waters approach the town of La Rue. No flood damage losses has been reported in this area on this event.  Route 37 and parts of Vine Street were flooded.