Event narrative (NOAA)
Between 800 and 1000 pm on the evening of May 12th rainfall observations in Olmsted Falls show 2.5-4.44 inches of rain. The rainfall rates were measured at 2.52 inches per hour. A dozen water rescues were conducted however no significant injuries were reported. In all nearly 1,000 homes were inundated in the towns of Olmsted Falls, North Olmsted, and Westlake. The City Hall in Olmsted Falls sustained significant flood damage to their basement. At the Great Northern Mall in North Olmsted 15 cars were submerged and a department store sustained significant damage. Dozens of roads and intersections were closed due to flooding with several feet of water. The major thruway Interstate 480 was closed around 1019 PM. Lewis Road in Olmsted Falls was damaged due to embankment failures.
Other notable flash flood events in Ohio
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.