Rain brings much-needed relief to northeast Ohio

CLEVELAND - The much-needed rain was welcomed by Ohioans after months with record low rainfalls. Most are hoping it was enough to help make a difference.

"I'm glad to see the rain," said Ruth McGough as she picked out her favorite pieces of corn at Grafs Farmers' Market. She said she was starting to worry about the lack of rain this summer.

"I know that the farmers are having a hard time and that means that the prices of things are going to go up."

Plus, she said, dry conditions create potential fire dangers in fields and woodsy areas; like when smokers throw out cigarette butts.

"It always concerned me that we were going to end up with a lawn fire or something like that," McGough said.

In downtown Cleveland, puddles of water were signs that relief had arrived, even the statue of former mayor Tom Johnson  got a cleansing. At one point the rain was filling the streets so fast that on motorist said he hydroplaned and ended up hitting this median wall on Interstate 77.

Union contractor George Carter, who works outside, said his crew was overjoyed to see it coming down.

"We saw this thunderstorm come in from a long way off and it was awesome, you know," said Carter.

"Like everybody else's grass that doesn't water it. Mine looks like a hayfield this year. It's just terrible," he said, "It's a well-needed rain and hopefully it'll do some good."