Team coverage of flooding with Sara Shookman
LOUISVILLE, Ohio — Downtown Louisville flooded early Wednesday. According to Tom Ault, Louisville city manager, tributary streams of the Nimishillen Creek filled up quickly when severe storms rolled through about 4:30 a.m.
Businesses and residents did not have the time to take ordinary precautions, he said, and the Fire Department had to rescue multiple people, including people in a car on a bridge and residents of an apartment building on Constitution Avenue.
A number of people were rescued by boat. On Main Street near state Route 44 several businesses were closed because no customers could access the buildings due to the flooding.
Stark County EMA Director Tim Warstler says 2 inches of water fell overnight at the Akron-Canton Airport. Both Ault and Warstler said no one was hurt.
Louisville was basically cut in half by the water, according to Warstler, and a train is stuck on the tracks because it can’t move due to the water. The American Red Cross has organized an overnight shelter at Louisville High School for those effected by the flooding. Food and water will be available.