The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the area in and around the Vermilion River in Erie and Lorain Counties through 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The periods of rainfall combined with Thursday's snow-melting warm temperatures has caused the Vermilion River to rise. Ice at the mouth of the river is causing the water to back up.
By 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Emergency Management reported flooding in Riverside Drive in Vermilion. According to Vermilion Police, residents in that area are moving their cars and have been warned that they may need to evacuate. Officers are on the scene.
The ice at the mouth of the river was estimated at several inches thick and is not expected to break up on Friday evening. River levels are expected to rise which will continue flooding in the Riverside Drive community.
The flood waters will be slow to recede as long as the ice remains in place extending the flood threat into Saturday..