GRAND RIVER, Ohio — According to the National Weather Service, the Fairport Harbor fire chief reported an ice jam along Grand River, which caused flooding. A flood Warning was issued for Lake County from 1:08 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday.
A Painesville city spokesperson said the city is aware of flooding along the river.
The ice jam brought out many people, like Dale and Mary Ellen Brandt, who took pictures and took in the view.
“Just amazing. It's like, the power of nature," said Dale Brandt of Parma.
“Concrete. Big chunks of concrete, like they broke up a road. Yeah, unbelievable," said Mary Ellen Brandt.
The couple, along with friends, drove to Pickle Bills for an early dinner and got quite a show.
“It's just beyond belief. It's like, wow," said Dale. "And when you see ice, you think it's like, crystal clear, like, iceberg ice, this is different.”
The Western Reserve Yacht Club shared photos with News 5 of the 4 feet of water they have to deal with:
Bob Ferritto has seen ice jams many times in his 55 years as a resident of Painsville Township.
“Typical for the winter. I've seen it twice as thick as this and really backed up. But that area right behind Pickle Bills is open on the surface,” Ferritto said.
Ferritto told News 5 he’s seen worse, but the ice is piled up pretty good, and there is a huge patch of free-flowing water by Pickle Bills restaurant.
“You get a good view of how fast that river is flowing. It's really high and fast," Ferritto said. “I've seen it worse up to the windows there on the building, and it's just about there. Now, if it doesn't break loose, it could, get up to the bottom of the window."
The restaurant was packed with people looking to get their last chance at half off all you can eat crab legs, and those looking to see the ice jam for themselves.
“We're very well equipped for these types of things," said Sami Radovanic, a manager and waitress.
"Just because we are so close to the river, our restaurant is actually built on a ledge higher up, so we can avoid these types of things," Radovanic said.
The restaurant had to close off their outdoor seating area on Friday, and possibly for the entire weekend, due to safety concerns. However, she told News 5 that the fire department had come out earlier.
"They did come out and take a look at everything," said Radovanic. "They did give us the okay to go ahead and open today. We do have evacuations and [a] plan just in case.”
The NWS asked anyone near the area to report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement.
News 5 Meteorologist Trent Magill was monitoring the ice jam earlier Friday morning.
WATCH:
