Cincinnati’s East Side has seen more rainfall over the past two months than ever before in recorded history, with a total of 21.95 inches of rain falling between June 1 and July 31 near the National Weather Service’s weather monitoring station at the Lunken Airport.

Record-Breaking Rainfall

This surpasses the previous record, with June’s monthly total being the largest to ever be seen at the Lunken Airport in its recorded history, and July being the ninth-rainiest month on record. The heavy rainfall has led to widespread flooding in nearby neighborhoods such as Hyde Park, Oakley, and Fairfax.

According to the National Weather Service, the station at the Lunken Airport is the only one on Cincinnati’s East Side, making it a key indicator of weather patterns in the area. The data shows that June saw 11.77 inches of rain, while July saw 10.18 inches, contributing to the record-breaking total.

Climate Change Impacts

Scientists attribute the increased rainfall to climate change, which is partly to blame for recent extreme weather patterns in the Midwest. The U.S. government’s Fifth National Climate Assessment reports that annual precipitation increased by 5%–15% across much of the Midwest during 1992–2021, with some areas experiencing reduced precipitation during summer.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval also acknowledged the role of climate change in the flooding, stating that the city’s infrastructure would need to adapt to the increasing frequency of such events. The city is urging residents to report any damage from sewer backups and has set up a hotline to respond to flooding claims.

Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.