People in flood-prone areas should be prepared to take action.
As of Friday morning, most of the region has already received 1 to 2 inches of rain in the last day.
While most areas had fewer than 2 inches of rainfall, some areas were reporting as much as 2.59 inches, according to the NWS.
More rain is expected Saturday, with a chance for strong to severe storms and damaging winds Saturday afternoon and evening.
Hail and a few isolated tornadoes are possible.
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
Showers will continue overnight, with a chance of heavy rainfall.
Nate McGinnis, a meteorologist for the NWS, said the region is expected to get an additional 2 to 3 inches of rain this weekend.
As of late Friday morning, the Little Miami River had minor flooding and will be an area of concern as additional rain falls.
Mad River in Springfield will be another area the NWS is monitoring for flooding, as well as any creeks and tributaries that flow into the Great Miami River.
McGinnis said the Great Miami River has flood protections in place but could still have some minor flooding.
The Miami Conservancy District said the Great Miami River watershed has received 3.0 to 5.0 inches of rain over the last 72 hours, with 1.50 to 2.50 inches falling in just the last 24 hours.
The district has activated its flood protection system in response to widespread heavy rainfall across the Great Miami River Watershed.
Great Miami River levels are expected to be at 13.6 feet around 11 a.m. on Sunday in Middletown and 75.9 fee in Hamilton, which are both nearly 2 feet over the minor flooding level, according to MCD’s river forecast.
Forecasts call for another 0.75 to 1.50 inches of rainfall through Sunday.
The district has closed floodgates in Piqua, Troy, West Carrollton, Miamisburg, Middletown and Hamilton. A pump station was also operated in Piqua to manage local water levels.
Flows across the watershed are above the 90th percentile for this time of year and additional rains could make this a top 10 record event, according to the MCD.
“We are in full flood response mode,” said MaryLynn Lodor, general manager at Miami Conservancy District. “Our team is working around the clock to monitor the conditions of dams, levees, and river and groundwater levels. The system provides protection across the region, and it is performing as designed. We are taking necessary measures to keep communities safe. If you see something of concern near any of our flood protection structures, please report it to us immediately.”
Technicians are actively measuring river flows at streamgage locations throughout the watershed to ensure accurate, real-time monitoring and response, according to the district.
All five Miami Conservancy District flood protection dams: Germantown, Englewood, Lockington, Taylorsville and Huffman are now storing water to reduce the risk of flooding in downstream communities.
Butler County
Hamilton Director of Infrastructure Edwin Porter said while MCD would manage or maintain any issues with the river, the city does have some structures, like the Hydraulic Canal which serves the hydroplant, they monitor, Porter said.
“We reached out and put a notice out to residents on Facebook, like checking and clearing storm drains,” he said, adding roofs and gutters should also be checked and cleared of leaves and debris. “Removing that can prevent clogs, which can cause localized flooding.”
Hamilton has inspected city catch basins for possible clogs earlier this week and clearing stormwater structures in advance of the rain.
Residents should also inspect sump pumps to keep water out of basements, and flooding issues should be reported to 513-785-7550, which goes directly to a superintendent.
“When it comes to high rains, it’s just the standard stuff,” said Porter, adding don’t dump yard waste catch basins or gutters, nor dump them in any stream or creeks, as that can cause flooding. Also, he said never cross a roadway that has standing water because “you don’t know how deep that’s going to be.”
“It’s just being aware,” he said.
Anyone who lives in a valley or low lying area should be cognizant of the water and seek higher ground before they are unable to safely leave their home. Any resident that becomes trapped or stranded should call 911.
In advance of the rains, MCD did close the Hamilton floodgates that protects the water from backing up into the Hamilton stormwater drainage system.
MetroParks of Butler County has several locations that are either along creeks or near the Great Miami River. According to MetroParks communications manager Katie Ely Wood, sections of the Great Miami River Trail are closed in Middletown and Trenton due to “high water.”
These closed sections are near the Trenton Riverway Trailhead locate on State Route 73 and underneath the State Route 122 bridge. “Until the water starts to recede, those areas will be closed for the time being,” Ely Wood said.
Woodsdale and Sebald MetroParks in Madison Twp. are closed. Ely Wood is “hoping” Sebald MetroPark will open “in the next few days.”
Sebald MetroPark has a creek that runs through the entry, and with high water, debris ends up on the bridge and prevents cars from coming in and out of the park. “We’re hopeful as soon as we get the debris cleared, we’ll be able to reopen (Sebald),” Ely Wood said.
For people who may need to be out this weekend, Ely Wood recommends being aware of your surroundings. “If you see water getting higher, it’s time to head to higher ground and make sure you can exit a park or area safely.”
Fairfield Public Works Director Ben Mann said the problems that could arise in Fairfield is all dependent on the rainfall. They often get high water on Seward Road, south of Tylersville Road and the Happy Valley Drive bridge off Ohio 127 before other areas. Mann said the city’s “biggest issue over the last 20 years has been localized street flooding in our areas that have dry wells.”
The city has more than 1,000 dry wells, which are in the northwest part of the city, primarily from neighborhoods like Village Green to the river.
“They work well, normally, as that area is comprised of a lot of well-draining sand and gravel soil layers, but under saturated conditions it can be a problem if we get a lot of rain all at once,” Mann said.
Ross Twp. Fire Chief Chris Johns said the main problem in the western Butler County community will be along the Great Miami River, especially in the Venice Gardens subdivision, which backs up to the river. Indian Creek is another area of concern.
“This creek runs through our entire township, including the village of Millville, which has potential to flood,” the chief said. “A majority of the village should be aware of this potential.”
He said if Indian Creek floods, it will also impact travel on several main roads, including New London, Ross-Millville, Ross-Hanover and Walnut St. (US 27) in the village of Millville.
“Anyone who lives in a valley or low lying area should be cognizant of the water and seek higher ground before they are unable to safely leave their home,” he said. “Any resident that becomes trapped or stranded should call 911.”
Electrical safety tips during flooding
• If rising water threatens your home or business – or if you evacuate due to flooding – turn off your power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box;
• Stay away from downed electrical lines as electric current passes easily through water;
• Don’t drive over nor stand near downed electrical lines;
• Never replace a fuse or touch a circuit breaker with wet hands, nor while standing on a wet or damp surface; and
• If your home or business is flooded, energy companies cannot reconnect power until the electrical system has been inspected by a licensed electrician, or any damage repaired by an electrician and verification of repairs from your local building inspector.