Flash Flood Watch Issued for Northwest Ohio, Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan
Thunderstorms capable of dropping 2 to 3 inches of rain in under two hours prompted a Flood Watch across 28 counties in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan on June 17.
DEFIANCE, OHIO — The National Weather Service office in Northern Indiana issued a Flood Watch on June 17 covering portions of northwest Ohio, northern Indiana, and southwest Michigan. Thunderstorms could bring 2 to 3 inches of rain within a one- to two-hour period, increasing the risk of flash flooding across the tri-state region.
Areas Under the Watch
The watch covered a broad geographic area across three states. In northwest Ohio, the affected counties included Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, and Williams.
In northern Indiana, the watch applied to Allen, Cass, De Kalb, Eastern St. Joseph, Elkhart, Fulton, Huntington, Lagrange, Marshall, Miami, Noble, Northern Kosciusko, Northern La Porte, Pulaski, Southern Kosciusko, Southern La Porte, Starke, Steuben, Wabash, Western St. Joseph, White, and Whitley counties. Southwest Michigan counties under the watch included Branch, Cass, Hillsdale, Northern Berrien, Southern Berrien, and St. Joseph.
Timing and Potential Impacts
The National Weather Service first issued the watch at 2:37 a.m. EDT on June 17, with flash flooding possible beginning at 2:00 p.m. EDT that afternoon. A second, updated watch was issued at 2:11 p.m. EDT the same day, noting that flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible, with both watches set to expire at 2:00 a.m. EDT on June 18.
Forecasters warned that excessive runoff from the anticipated rainfall could lead to flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, according to the National Weather Service. Poor drainage areas and urban zones were also identified as at risk for flooding.
What Residents Should Know
A Flood Watch means that conditions are favorable for flash flooding to develop, and residents in the listed counties were urged to monitor forecasts closely and be prepared to move to higher ground if flooding begins. The National Weather Service noted that the heaviest rain was expected during the afternoon and evening hours of June 17.
Motorists were advised to avoid driving through flooded roadways, as even shallow, fast-moving water can sweep vehicles off the road. Residents near rivers, creeks, and streams in the affected counties were encouraged to stay alert for rapidly rising water levels.
For the latest forecasts and any updated alerts, residents were directed to monitor the National Weather Service Northern Indiana office.
