CLEVELAND — Vehicles were trapped and roadways were flooded after heavy rain caused flash flooding across Northeast Ohio.
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning on Thursday night for several Northeast Ohio counties as thunderstorms moved across the area.
3News' Candice Hare was live in Barberton on Friday morning following overnight flash flooding on Barber Road. 3News' David Greenberg was in Cuyahoga Falls after vehicles got stuck during the flooding.
The Flash Flood Warning has since expired. It was in effect in southwestern Geauga County, northwestern Portage County, and Summit County until 1:30 a.m. Friday. A Flash Flood Warning was also previously in effect in eastern Holmes County, southeastern Medina County in northeastern Ohio, southwestern Summit County, and eastern Wayne County until 2 a.m.
According to the Geauga County Sheriff's Office, flooding also hit the Bainbridge area. Road closures were in effect at the intersection of US-422 at OH-306, the intersection of Bainbridge Road and Millbrook Drive and the area of Flintlock Road.
In Cuyahoga Falls, Mayor Don Walters told 3News that many of the city's low points have flooded. According to the mayor, several drivers became trapped in their cars and needed to be rescued at Bath Road and State Road. People also became trapped at Prange Drive, Morrison Avenue, 6th Street, Graham Road and Lillis Drive.
3News' Mitti Hicks was on the scene in Cuyahoga Falls and captured video of some of the stranded cars.
3News viewer Alannah Smith sent us this video of severe flash flooding in Cuyahoga Falls:
On Friday afternoon, the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department posted these dramatic rescue pictures on Facebook.
Also on Friday, our Annabelle Childers captured this video from Canyon Brook Drive in Akron with the road falling apart.
Ohio Department of Transportation cameras showed flooding that also hit I-76 in Barberton. The highway was closed in both directions beyond Barber Road due to flooding.
According to Akron police, "severe" flooding hit the streets on the west side of Akron. Police were working to assist citizens in disabled cars and are asking drivers to avoid the following areas:
- Manchester Road at Route 76
- North Street at Dan Street
- Uhler from Memorial to Cuyahoga Street
In Hudson, flooding closed Hudson Park at Blue Heron and Leeway, according to a social media post from the city government. "Other affected areas include Pine Trails, Alexandra, Huntington, Mayapple, East Haven, Deerpath Trls., and Stow near SR 480," the city said.
Just before 11 p.m., the Ohio Turnpike said standing water in a work zone at milepost 185 eastbound in Summit County flooded all three eastbound lanes of the Turnpike.
The NWS warns flash flooding could occur in small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Impacted cities include Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, Solon, Hudson, Twinsburg, Streetsboro, South Russell Aurora, Reminderville and Bainbridge.
Officials said to be especially cautious at night and to "turn around, don't drown," when driving on roads that have flooded.