As of 5:30 a.m. May 13, a flood warning continued for areas south of Elyria in Carlisle Township near the Black River. According to the Cleveland National Weather Service, the river crested beyond its 9.5 feet flood stage to 11 feet, and was expected to reach 12 feet by mid-morning. The river was not expected to subside below flood levels until Tuesday evening.
In North Ridgeville, flash flooding in the area of Center Ridge Road and Mills Creek Lane resulted in the evacuation of 18 people stranded in homes and vehicles, according to North Ridgeville fire Capt. Joe Gavlak.
Mutual aid was called in from Westlake, Avon, Olmsted Falls and Elyria, and boats were used to rescue residents along Mills Creek South, Gina Drive, Gail Drive and Pitts Boulevard, he said.
Gavlak said three people had to be rescued from their vehicles when they approached areas that were overcome by water, making the roadway impassable. The other 15 were pulled from their homes.
Once they were moved from their homes to higher ground, people were transported to Fields Church, 34077 Lorain Road, for evaluation and shelter.
North Ridgeville Schools officials canceled classes Tuesday as a result of flooding issues in some school buildings and because of many of the roadways still impassable because of flood waters, according to the district’s website.