The Maumee and Portage rivers have gone into flood stage following Thursday’s rainstorms. However, major
flooding issues are not expected along either waterway based on current forecasts.
A flood warning was issued Thursday night by the National Weather Service for the Maumee River near Grand
Rapids, according to a message issued just after 11 p.m. by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.
"The river’s going to go into minor flood stage," said Wood County Emergency Management
Director Brad Gilbert this morning, "so it’s pretty much low-lying areas that usually get it. No
structures impacted."
The original flood warning forecasted the river could rise above flood stage to 17.9 feet by Saturday
evening with additional rises possible.
However, Gilbert said that as of this morning "they’re showing it cresting about 17.5, which would
put it into the moderate category. That would be probably Saturday night."
Unlike others along the Maumee River, the river gauge at Grand Rapids must be read manually, and the
depth called in by phone. The last reading was at 2 p.m. on Thursday, at 5.05 feet, he said. However,
it’s estimated that the river is sitting at 11 feet this morning.
"Once we get above the 16.5, into that 17 (foot) category, that part of (the river) around Grand
Rapids – would be Mary Jane Thurston Park – starts to take on water because it’s pretty low. As we head
towards 18 feet, we start to see some water come up towards the downtown area, but nothing real
serious."
Around 18 feet, according to the flood warning, water can begin to cover Front Street and parts of
Beaver, West and Mill streets west of downtown.
The reduced flooding expectations this morning, Gilbert said, are a result of the changing weather
forecast.
"The heavy rain from the second round has gone south and over toward the west of us. So we’ll get
some rain this afternoon, but not quite the heavy stuff we were thinking we were going to get
yesterday."
As of this morning, some campgrounds and seasonal homes along the river west of Grand Rapids are starting
to be affected by high water, Gilbert said.
As for the Portage River, "it just went into the minor flood stage," said Gilbert, "just
in the last couple hours here."
He said it appears that the river is beginning to level out.
As for how this might effect the village of Pemberville, "we really don’t see big water issues until
we get towards the moderate flood stage. So we should be in pretty good shape."
He said that areas along the Portage in the southern part of the county could see wet ground and some
roads nearby may have some water come onto them.