Flood Watch Issued For Lorain County

AVON, OH — A flood watch has been issued for Lorain County and much of Northeast Ohio. The watch will remain in place until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the National Weather Service announced.

A flood watch is issued whenever there is a potential for flooding in an area. Anyone who lives in an area prone to flooding should prepare, however they can, for that eventuality.

The National Weather Service said steady rain and scattered thunderstorms could bring "excessive rainfall" to much of northern Ohio. One to 2.5 inches of rain could fall through Monday and into Tuesday morning.

Steady rainfall has swelled streams and creeks, ripening them for flooding. Rapid runoff and flash flooding is possible. Flooding is possible in north central Ohio and northeast Ohio. The National Weather Service said Lorain, Cuyahoga, Medina and Wayne counties are at particular risk.

Rainfall is expected throughout much of the week thanks for a burst of moisture traveling north.

"Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will continue to stream into the region today into tonight, which will support multiple rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall. The rain could become torrential at times with rates over 2 inches an hour," the National Weather Service said. "This will lead to rapid runoff and an increased risk of flash flooding in addition to river flooding."

Showers could taper off Tuesday afternoon, but there is a slight chance of rain continuing through Wednesday evening, according to current forecasts.