'Everything was just under water': Flash flooding closes roads, church in Ravenna Township

Heavy rains Saturday brought flash flooding to Ravenna Township and other spots in Portage County after a National Weather Service issued a warning just before 1 p.m.

The Ravenna Township Fire Department, Portage Prepares and social media news sites reported flooding in the Ravenna Township area, with some road closures.

Just after 4 p.m., the Ravenna Township Fire Department posted that it was at the site of a flash flood incident.

"We are on the scene at the Bramley trailer park. We are asking residents to stay in their homes and not walk or drive in the floodwaters," the department said in a Facebook post.

FLASH FLOOD Incident- we are on the scene at the Bramley trailer park. We are asking residents to stay in their homes...

Posted by Ravenna Township Fire Department on Saturday, August 3, 2024

In a follow-up comment, the department said the flood waters had begun to recede.

Portage Prepares said in a post at 2:14 p.m. it had received reports of several roads being flooded in the area.

Ravenna Councilwoman Amy Michael said late Saturday afternoon that she had received two calls about the flooding.

Michael said she was leaving for a Saturday work shift early because she wasn't clear what roads might be affected by the heavy rains. She said a tree had fallen in one roadway but had already been cleared.

"The area where I am looks completely clear," she said in a phone interview.

She said Mayor Frank Seman and the city's service director were in contact about the flooding.

"I know we're on top of things," she said. "... I know the [service department] guys are busy."

Portage Prepares said 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain had fallen in less than an hour. The downpour overwhelmed drainage systems in some areas, including the township mobile home park.

God's Church of Ravenna Pastor Jeremey Frum cancelled Sunday services after flash flooding at the Bridge Street church. Frum said the church's former pastor examined the church and called him to report that the flooding was extensive.

"[It was] all through the sanctuary to the back…," he said. "Everything was just under water."

He was told some township employees were redirecting traffic on some roads before the waters receded.

"Around that area, every time it rains real hard... there are areas that retain water," he said.

Frum said he planned to visit the church Saturday night or Sunday to evaluate the extent of the damage.

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj or Facebook at www.facebook.com/alan.newsman.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 'Everything was just under water': Flash flooding closes roads, church in Ravenna Township