Rescuers pulled people from flooded homes and cars after heavy rains hit Ohio on Thursday night. A foot of water filled some streets. The adverse weather also caused a concert to be canceled.
Downpours hit northeastern Ohio Thursday evening. Rain overnight caused flash flooding, with rainfall totals exceeding 100 liters per square meter reported in some areas. Water pooled in streets and flooded into homes.
Trapped cars, interrupted concert
In Summit County, emergency services pulled at least a dozen people from flooded cars and homes, local media reported. Interstate 76 was partially blocked, forcing drivers to pull over to the side of the road. However, some cars drove into standing water, requiring firefighters and police to intervene to save the drivers.
– During the climax moment storm suddenly you lose visibility and in a moment you are surrounded by a meter of water – said Don Walters, mayor of the city of Cuyahoga Falls, where the flooding occurred.
Local media reported that the downpours cut off power to about 400,000 customers, and that half of the homes had had power restored by Friday morning. The weather also thwarted the plans of fans attending an outdoor concert, which was canceled when a storm hit the Blossom Amphitheater in Cuyahoga Falls.
Reuters, Akron Beacon Journal
Main image source: Reuters