THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CLEVELAND HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL OHIO AND NORTHEAST OHIO, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES, IN NORTH CENTRAL OHIO: ASHLAND, ERIE, HURON, LORAIN AND RICHLAND. IN NORTHEAST OHIO, CUYAHOGA, GEAUGA, LAKE, MEDINA, PORTAGE, SUMMIT AND WAYNE.

* FROM NOON TODAY THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.

* SHOWERS WILL INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE NEAR LAKE ERIE. LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN IS LIKELY.

* THE GROUND IS WET FROM RECENT RAINS. ANY HEAVY RAIN COULD PRODUCE FLOODING. FLOOD PRONE AREAS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS WOULD BE THE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLOODING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP. STAY TUNED TO WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES.