Storms bring flooding risk; High Wind Warning in effect for some areas

Credit: JIM NOELKER

Credit: JIM NOELKER

Earlier rain today will bring a chance of flooding into the early afternoon, joined by strong winds throughout the day.

A flood watch has been canceled for multiple counties such as Champaign, Darke, Clinton, Montgomery, Miami, Preble, Greene, Butler, Shelby, Warren and Clark issued by the National Weather Service in Wilmington. . This means that conditions are favorable for flooding, mainly due to the cumulative effect of multiple rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall.

In Centerville, one eastbound lane of Alex Bell Road was closed from Cedarleaf Drive to Fallen Oak Trace. “The area cannot handle the amount of rain that has fallen — with more on the way,” the city posted this morning on social media.

Winds have picked up significantly today, and forecasters said especially now through 5 p.m., according to NWS. Strong winds will make driving difficult and loose objects may blow which could result in tree damage and power outages.

A High Wind Warning is in effect for Champaign and Clark counties until 8 p.m.

A wind advisory is also in effect for much of the rest of the region through 8 p.m., with sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts of up to 55 mph. High winds could blow around unsecured objects and blow down tree limbs, causing power outages.

Every year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather hazard, mainly because people don’t realize the incredible power of water, NWS officials said.

Just 6 inches of swift-moving flood water can knock over an adult; 12 inches can carry away small cars; and 18 to 24 inches can carry away most large SUVs, vans and trucks.

Many homeowners experience flooded basements following heavy rain.

The American Red Cross says items should be thrown out if they absorb water and can’t be cleaned or disinfected, such as mattresses, carpet and stuffed animals, as well as any food, drink and medicine that were exposed to flood water — including canned goods, baby bottle nipples and sealed food containers.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said mold can be washed off most hard surfaces with detergent and clean water.

The temperature will rise to a high near 59 degrees today.

The chance of showers will trail off in the late afternoon.

Tonight will be mostly cloudy, then gradually clearing. It will be breezy with gusts as high as 32 mph. The overnight low is expected to drop to around 33 degrees.

Sunday will be mostly sunny and dry, with a high near 56 degrees.

Clouds are expected to increase again on Sunday night, with a slight chance of rain, mainly after 2 a.m. The overnight low will be around 36 degrees.

After a chance of rain starting in the early morning hours and ending around noon, Monday is expected to be partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 54 degrees, and gusts of up to 24 mph.

Most of the week will be dry and sunny with highs in the 50s.

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