WILLOUGHBY HILLS, Ohio — An ice jam broke free and caused the Chagrin River to swell and affect several homes in the area, according to the Willoughby Hills Police Department.
News 5 was on the scene and could see the ice jam stopped by Pleasant Valley Park, but residents were already feeling the impacts of flooding.

Neighbors reported hearing what sounded like thunder around 12:30 a.m., which turned out to be the sound of ice breaking up.
In response, many residents evacuated their homes or moved their cars away from the river. By morning, flooding had inundated the area, leaving many returning residents to wade through icy waters to reach their homes.
“This is breathtaking. I was in shock actually,” said Jenny Wargo, who came home to find her house — a blue one — surrounded by water.
Wargo, who has lived in the area her whole life, said the flooding was upsetting but not entirely unfamiliar.
“It’s devastating to see it flood. We’ve been through a few floods growing up, and it’s just terrible,” she said.

The flooding occurred along Milann Drive, which runs parallel to the Chagrin River. While some residents reported hearing the ice break, others said they were unaware until authorities knocked on their doors.
Currently, the ice jam is less than half a mile away from the neighborhood. At Pleasant Valley Park, chunks of ice, some as long as 5 feet and up to 12 inches thick, are packed tightly together.
John Lillich, who has lived in the area since he was 7, noted that the river hasn’t frozen over like this in years.
“The river has not frozen over completely for a very long period of time. At latest two years. Maybe three or four,” Lillich said.
Willoughby fire and police departments checked on residents throughout the day, offering assistance where needed. Meanwhile, residents weighed their options — evacuate or stay put.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Chagrin River near Chardon Road and Willoughby, which was in effect until 1 a.m. Sunday, due to the ice jam.
Around 12:25 a.m., Willoughby police and fire responded to Milann Drive for rising water and ice from the river.
Police said the water began to recede before any rescue efforts were needed.
The Willoughby Hills Fire Department was on standby. As of Saturday night, they did not have to evacuate anyone.
“We go down and watch it. We have several bridges in the cities with gauges painted on them," said Lt. Lou Dimattia of the Willoughby Hills Fire Department.
Dimattia told News 5 his department and others along the Chagrin River have been monitoring the water levels on the phones with a new app.
“If we're running other calls, we may not be able to be down by the river," said Dimattia. "So it helps us just kind of keep an eye on things."
Residents who live downstream from the ice jam moved their valuables to higher ground in their homes in anticipation of the worst.
“It can go from what you're looking at right now to up to my house in 20 minutes," said Sandy Sheesly, who has lived near the Chagrin River since 2001.
Sheesley said flooding was a possibility, but it took 14 years before they ever had an issue.
"In 2015, when I walked out my front door, it was over my knees," said Sheesley. "So that was a good two feet, at least."
Sheesely said she would like to see the city do more to break up the ice jams before they get this big and before they can do much more damage to homes and properties.
"I don't understand why they can't break them up somehow, whether they detonate them somehow, or bring a crane with a wrecking ball in, even onto the edge of the river. There's plenty of open areas," Sheesley said.
Dimattia said it's unlikely they would bring back detonating the ice like they did in the 1970's.
"It's dangerous putting people out on the ice, and we're kind of at the mercy of Mother Nature," Dimattia said.
Out of precaution and the unpredictable nature of the river, police say a reverse 9-1-1 was made to residents that could be affected.
WHPD said the following areas may experience flooding:
- Mentor
- Willoughby
- Eastlake
- Timberlake
- Willoughby Hills
- Kirtland
- Waite Hill
The NWS asks residents in those areas to visit HERE for flood safety and preparedness information.