In June 1990 a flash flood near Shadyside Ohio killed 26 people. As a result the Ohio General Assembly directed the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA) to develop a flood warning system in selected counties and to make recommendations about expanding the system to other areas of the state. The original funding provided for the computer hardware and software to operate the monitoring system and the hardware for the remote sensing gauges. The result of this initiative is the State of Ohio Rain/Snow Monitoring System (STORMS).

The plan recommends the installation of five automated rain gauges in each of Ohio's 88 counties. The installation schedule on a county basis has been prioritized based on river basin and topographic characteristics and the population at risk.

Current STORMS information is available from the
Wilmington National Weather Service Office.
(http://www.afws.net/states/oh/oh.htm)

The Division of Water will become linked to this network in late 1998 and will develop a database to compile this information.

For further information on the STORMS network, please contact

David Cashell
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Water
Water Resources Section
2045 Morse Road, Bldg. B-1
Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693

(614) 265-6740
E-Mail address: dave.cashell@dnr.state.oh.us

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