GRAND RAPIDS – Despite reports of high water that closed sections of roadways this morning, the village
appears to have dodged a bullet with the movement of a long-standing ice jam on the Maumee River.
"Last night on the Maumee a flash flood warning was issued because the large ice jam just west of
Grand Rapids finally broke loose," said Wood County Emergency Management Director Brad Gilbert.
"That was about 5:45 last night."
As a result of the news, Gilbert said the village and its fire department went on "high alert"
in case of flooding.
"That tends to be about the most dangerous time for potential flash flooding," he said.
"But it went well, it broke up well as it went over the dam – the ice – and it was able to flow
right past Grand Rapids and keep moving. So by about 8 o’clock last night the threat level" had
gone down.
The ice jam had been causing concern since the very deep cold that visited the area in January. The ice
on the Maumee, more than a foot thick at points, had jammed up in Henry County and caused minor flooding
to properties along the river there.
Last month, as temperatures began to rise and the winter’s thick snows began to melt, the village grew
concerned about possible flooding; informational sheets were distributed to property and business owners
to prepare them for the possibility of high water.
Early this morning, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office sent out an advisory for drivers to avoid Ovitt Road
between Ohio 64 and River Road, and the Van Tassel Access at 22122 River Road, until further notice due
to high water. Road closed signs were to be posted. A dispatcher confirmed that the situation continued
this morning.
Gilbert, however, characterized that flooding as both minor and not unusual.
"I think there’s still technically a minor flood stage, which is typical," he said of the Grand
Rapids situation. "But no properties were impacted, at least on the Wood County side, especially in
the downtown area. There were still some properties down in Henry County that did get some water and
some ice. But, again, those are very low-lying areas that typically get flooding."
A message left with Grand Rapids Fire Chief Eric Flora seeking comment this morning was not immediately
returned.