FAIRPORT HARBOR, Ohio — On Tuesday, ice jams began forming near Fairport Harbor, creating problems on the area's rivers.
News 5's Maya Lockett spoke with the Fairport Harbor Fire Department, which said it is monitoring the Grand River and that large ice chunks have broken upstream, creating ice jams.
An ice jam has been reported near the High Street Marina and is causing minor flooding.
The Grand River Metroparks have closed due to water exceeding the banks, and with incoming rain on Wednesday, Fairport Harbor Fire said the ice jam situation could worsen.
"The rain initially makes it worse, just because it adds that extra water to the river," Lt. Dave Blados said. "You know, the best case scenario is that we get a nice slow thaw, or, you know, a nice slow thaw where the river is not overloaded with water, but that ice is melting away at the same time."
Officials said there is no need to evacuate at the moment, but encourage residents to have "go bags" and to sign up for the Lake County Emergency System just in case.
Fairport Harbor isn't the only city dealing with ice jams.
In Eastlake, ice jams are forming, and flooding is beginning along the Chagrin River.
News 5's overnight news tracker saw stacks of ice jams early Wednesday morning.
Keeping an eye on the rivers this morning. This is the Chagrin River in Eastlake. There is some street flooding in the Chagrin Lagoons area but it has been receding since 1am. Ice is jammed up starting around Chagrin Tavern and south. North of that it's still flat ice. pic.twitter.com/jRC8QdPIak
— Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) February 18, 2026
Chunks of ice floated by as the flood waters filled the King Drive—creeping up driveways of houses there.
Nearby Trader Jack's Riverside Grille also experienced brief flooding, but the water has receded quite a bit.
No evacuations have been ordered yet, but emergency crews are asking people to stay away from the river.
