Willoughby Hills residents put on alert amid flooding concerns

WILLOUGHBY HILLS, Ohio — Some Willoughby Hills residents were put on alert early Thursday morning that they should considering evacuating the area due to flooding concerns.

Chief Robert Gandee of the Willoughby Hills Fire Department tells 3News the Chagrin River had reached 15 feet and there was minimal flooding as of 5:30 a.m. Thursday.

We’re told a handful of people evacuated as a result.

The water level, however, has since lowered to nine feet, as Chief Gandee notes there is no more ice on the Chagrin River in Willoughby Hills. Officials are keeping a close eye on the evolving situation, however, as the rainfall, snow melt and changing conditions could be problematic.

RELATED: Timeline of weather alerts: When to expect the rain to transition to ice and snow throughout Northeast Ohio

Flooding concerns are an issue throughout Northeast Ohio right now as rainy conditions move through the area amid mild temperatures. The rain will transition to freezing rain and sleet Thursday afternoon and evening. Temperatures will plummet, too, making a flash freeze a possibility with 1-3" of snow expected by Friday morning.

MORE HEADLINES: 

• FORECAST | See the extended weather forecast for Northeast Ohio
• Eastlake officials preparing for possible flooding along the Chagrin River
• USGS confirms 2.4 magnitude earthquake in Lake Erie near Eastlake, the 7th in the area this year

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