(Toledo, OH) The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the Maumee River at Waterville, and a flood watch remains in effect for Northwest Ohio until 4 a.m. Saturday.
Toledo city crews have pre-placed portable pumps in flood-prone areas and installed seven flood gates in marina locations in Point Place to prevent street flooding from expected changes in lake levels due to wind.
A shift in wind or gusty winds can cause the "bathtub effect" in the western basin of Lake Erie, either moving water away from the shallow lakebed or causing flooding. So far, city officials say reports of basement flooding are due to private property issues and Toledo's collection system is handling current rainfall.
Findlay residents are placing sandbags around their homes as the Blanchard River creeps closer to flood stage. City officials say areas closest to the river flood at 13 feet, with downtown streets becoming impassable at 14 feet. The Red Cross will decide today whether to open an emergency evacuation shelter.