Fourth largest rainfall doesn’t dampen holiday spirit

FREMONT – After the region endured the fourth-wettest June in more than 100 years, a meteorologist forecast a dry weekend for Independence Day.

National Weather Service meteorologist Zach Sefcovic said a rainwater gauge on Ohio 53, just southwest of Fremont, recorded 9.2 inches for June, slightly behind 1924’s total of 9.49, which stands in third place for the most rain in the month of June locally.

“The record is 10.56 inches, recorded in 1902. The average rainfall in June is normally 4.02,” Sefcovic said.

Sefcovic said the rain came in bunches and that June’s total was particularly notable because most of the rain came during the final two to three weeks of the month.

Because of the heavy rainfall — especially June 27, when a storm dropped 2.85 inches of rain locally — Sefcovic said there is concern about possible flooding and problems with the Sandusky River.

But Fremont was lucky to avoid river flooding, he said, while parts of the Sandusky River near Tiffin did experience moderate flood levels.

“Overall it rained a bunch, but the Sandusky River held up here,” Sefcovic said.

The severe storms also brought howling winds, uprooting several trees in the city and closing roads in the county.

Ohio 105 between Woodville and U.S. 23 was closed through Sunday, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Also, Ohio 19 between Link Road and the Sandusky-Ottawa county line was closed because of high water.

While roads have opened for travel, Sefcovic cautioned drivers to take alternate routes and seek updates in the event of heavy rainfall.

Regionally, Fremont fared much better than area cities when it came to June’s rainfall totals.

Toldeo Metcalf Airport registered 10.8 inches in the month, while the National Weather Service’s rain gauge measured 7.72 inches at Toledo Express Airport.

cshoup@gannett.com

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Twitter: CraigShoupNH