The Ohio Department of Natural Resources unveiled a newly completed wetland project in Allen County. Area residents and partners gathered to tour the Baughman Project, which spans 19 acres in the northern part of the county near the Allen Oakwood Prison. Over the last year, native vegetation was planted, basins were dug, and pipes were put in place to create 3 main wetlands areas. The hope is these additions will drastically reduce flooding, which has been negatively impacting the surrounding roads, neighborhoods, and property values for around 30 years.

Governor Mike DeWine activated the state disaster relief program for Mercer and 10 other counties to help with the impact of severe storm events from the start of the year. Government and eligible private non-profit organizations in Mercer County will be able to apply for supplemental state assistance for the EF-2 tornadoes on May 7-8th. One tornado by Coldwater reached speeds of 120 miles per hour. The other that started in Montezuma Township hit speeds of 130 miles per hour. No injuries or deaths were reported. 

September 19, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine: (COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik today announced that nearly three dozen communities will receive funding to complete critical infrastructure and neighborhood improvement projects that enhance the quality of life for Ohioans. More than $18.2 million in Neighborhood Revitalization and Critical Infrastructure grants will be awarded to 34 communities for projects such as upgraded water and sewer infrastructure, road and sidewalk replacement, park improvements, recreation enhancements, new fire trucks, and more.

Heavy rain over the past few days have resulted in flooding along area rivers and creeks. On Tuesday afternoon just northwest of Arlington, the Eagle Creek at County Road 24 in Hancock County was running quite high and spilling out of its banks. Water from the creek spilled into nearby fields resulting in at least several inches of water. The fast moving water nearly touched the bottom of the bridge. At this particular location, the roadway was not covered in water.

ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - Over two inches of rain throughout Friday caused flooding in many areas of Allen County.

Just about anywhere you look in the city of Lima, there’s a least a little bit of rainwater collecting on the streets, but in some places there’s more water than others as we face several inches of rain over the span of a few days.

The Putnam County Office of Public Safety says it’s all a waiting game to see how bad the Blanchard river will flood or not. The levels of the river are relatively low as of now, but several factors in the spring will contribute to how high the waters will get. The director of public safety, Mike Klear, says portions of the river flood every year no matter what, but it’s up to the weather this spring to determine.

"Rain, rain, go away" might have been the slogan for some local farmers over the last week as they have dealt with the several inches of rain that have hit the area. Normally, rain would be a good thing for farmers, but when it begins to flood in the field, says the executive director of the Allen County Farm Service Agency, does water begin to be a problem.

Multiple fire departments were called in Thursday to rescue a couple from flooding. Two people were rescued from their vehicle when they drove into a flooded area late this morning. Lafayette-Jackson Township and Ada-Liberty Township Fire Departments were dispatched to N. Hardin Road for a vehicle trapped in flooding.