Expected rainfall could cause flooding

By Elise Franco

efranco@vindy.com

Measures are in place to prevent flooding problems, despite a flood watch through Sunday and the possibility of 1.5 inches of rain in that time.

Because of already saturated ground due to melted snow, the National Weather Service is reporting that any rainfall in the next few days will become runoff causing flooding in some areas.

Mahoning and Trumbull counties are among nearly 30 counties under a flood watch through Sunday.

The Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh, however, has been lowering its 16 reservoirs since February to accommodate snow and rainwater runoff.

“We have an abundant amount of space to store water,” said Werner Loehlein, the Pittsburgh District’s water management chief, in a statement.

The district’s system of flood damage reduction reservoirs can capture about a third of the snow-melt and storm-water runoff that falls within the basin, and then release that water in a controlled manner after the flood threat passes.

Robert Lyden, interim Mahoning County sanitary engineer, said his crews also have done routine maintenance to ensure major flooding doesn’t happen.

“We have two crews out continually cleaning out sewers,” he said. “I don’t really anticipate anything happening.”

Lyden said he doesn’t foresee heavy flooding unless all the rain falls in a short period.

“There’s no doubt the ground is wet, which will promote reasonably fast runoff,” he said. “The only time we have a large backup is when we have intense thunderstorms on a localized basis.”

Mahoning County Engineer Richard Marsico said he doesn’t anticipate that type of storm.

Marsico said because most of the snow already is melted, it won’t add to whatever rain does fall.

“In most of the things we take care of, the roads and bridges, most of the snow is off there so it won’t be a fast melt on top of that rain,” he said. “Most of the time the sewer systems can handle that type of storm.”

The Ohio Department of Transportation also released a statement Friday urging drivers to be cautious.

“ODOT safety experts urge motorists to be aware when approaching a flooded road, stop and do not cross,” the statement said. “Never drive through flooded roadways. And never drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded.”