Heavy rainfall lasting about 12 hours caused severe flooding across Ondo City, disrupting businesses, forcing residents to flee their homes, and damaging properties in several communities.

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‎Residents of Ondo City have expressed concern after a prolonged downpour lasting about 12 hours triggered widespread flooding that submerged homes, businesses, roads, and a place of worship across several parts of the ancient town.

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‎The heavy rainfall, which started around 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday and continued until approximately 4:00 p.m., brought commercial activities to a standstill as major roads became impassable and floodwaters inundated residential neighbourhoods.

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‎Several communities were affected by the flooding, including Lipakala Junction, Lisaluwa, Odojomu, Itanla,Esporta, Laje, and Agiodo, where residents struggled to salvage belongings while rising water levels forced many families to evacuate.

‎A 65-year-old resident reportedly relocated his family to safety in the early hours of the day after floodwaters rapidly entered their home, leaving the building submerged.

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‎The flooding also affected a white-garment church located along Road 7 in Agiodo, where parts of the building and valuable church property were destroyed. The church, situated near a riverbank, was overwhelmed after nearby streams and rivers overflowed following the prolonged rainfall.

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‎Speaking on the incident, a trader who attended a night vigil said she encountered severe difficulties while returning home on Wednesday morning. According to her, several major roads, including those around Lipakala Junction and Esporta, were completely flooded, leaving motorists stranded and forcing commuters to take longer alternative routes.

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‎Residents also shared photos and videos of the flooding on WhatsApp and other social media platforms, showing submerged roads, flooded homes, and damaged properties as they called for urgent government intervention.

‎One resident described the rainfall as one of the longest uninterrupted downpours experienced in recent years in South-West Nigeria, saying the rain lasted continuously for about 12 hours without significant breaks.

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‎The incident has renewed concerns over poor drainage infrastructure and the increasing impact of extreme weather events in Ondo State.

Residents revealed how a similar experience occurred two years ago and are urging the Ondo State Government and relevant emergency management agencies to improve flood-control measures and drainage systems to prevent similar disasters in the future.