Hometown National News: Findlay, Ohio Has 100 Year Flood

Findlay, OH Flooding 8/23/2007I grew up just 7 miles north of Findlay, OH in the little village of Van Buren. Findlay is the county seat and the location of… just about everything we needed to live. I lived through monstrous blizzards, ice storms, the draught of ’88, and 3 years of 100+ degree band camp and county fair tent duty.

Now for the flood of the century. The worst rain I can recall was somewhere around 1995, we had 2-3 feet of flash rain water at the fairgrounds after an afternoon deluge. It was up past my knees everywhere. As far as I know, that was a localized pit of water from a storm cell that collected water in the right places to make the fair miserable.

This is entirely different: the Blanchard River crested to within 0.4″ of the 1913 modern record (how do we know that was an accurate measurement back then anyway?). The river topped out at 7 feet above flood level, sending water into downtown and throughout the streets, as the river runs right through the middle.

Let me also take the opportunity to say, “Go Black Knights” and “Liberty Benton stinks.” I see L.B. groups on Facebook, and they seem to think they are better the then ol’ Black and Orange. Pfffph. What do they know?

Comments

  1. That is really odd you are from Findlay and I have two Aunts that live in Findlay. Did you ever eat at Chi Chi’s restaurant? It was really good.

  2. That is really odd you are from Findlay and I have two Aunts that live in Findlay. Did you ever eat at Chi Chi’s restaurant? It was really good.

  3. Ah, yes. Some history there… that is near the old Meijer Square building that burned down in the 80s. Everyone was sad to be without their favorite store for a year or so. Then they build the modern Meijer down the road. It was the biggest store we’d ever seen. Think Super Wal-mart in 1988! Auto, groceries, clothes, toys, garden! It was awesome.

    Oh, and Chi-Chi’s food is to die for… or at least save up for.

  4. Ah, yes. Some history there… that is near the old Meijer Square building that burned down in the 80s. Everyone was sad to be without their favorite store for a year or so. Then they build the modern Meijer down the road. It was the biggest store we’d ever seen. Think Super Wal-mart in 1988! Auto, groceries, clothes, toys, garden! It was awesome.

    Oh, and Chi-Chi’s food is to die for… or at least save up for.