Defiance/Paulding flood

Northwest Ohio Flood of June 17 2003

Thunderstorms dumped in excess of 5 inches of rain over portions of Paulding and Defiance counties during the morning hours of June 17, 2003, producing flash flooding. Most of the rain fell between 7 am and noon. The heaviest rain was in a 10 mile wide corridor extending from Ney in Defiance County to Tipton in the southwest corner of Paulding County to just south of the Paulding/Van Wert County Line.

National Weather Service Northern Indiana Doppler Radar estimated 8 to 10 inches of rain in the Tipton area and nearly 6 inches of rain near the Village of Sherwood in Defiance County, two of the hardest hit places. Paulding County Emergency Management officials reported 5.4 inches in Cecil, while unofficial reports of 10 inches were received from the Tipton area.

In the Village of Sherwood, approximately 30 homes received water damage. Homes in Delaware Township of Defiance County and along the Blue Creek in Paulding County, were also flooded.

Flash Flood Warnings were issued for Defiance and Paulding counties by the National Weather Service Northern Indiana Office during the event. Flood Statements were also issued for Defiance, Paulding, and Van Wert counties. After the rain tapered off, flood warnings were issued for continued flooding of creeks and streams across Paulding County, including Blue Creek.

The thunderstorms were generated in response to an area of low pressure extending across Northwest Ohio and an upper level disturbance moving across the Great Lakes Region. With weak atmospheric winds, the storms moved slowly and regenerated over the same area, resulting in excessive rainfall.

The following pictures were taken in or near Sherwood, Ohio. The intersection seen in some of the photos is the junction of US 127 and OH 18.