OHIO — Potholes are no stranger to Ohio drivers and as the snow begins to melt, they are beginning to pop-up more and more.

Potholes form when moisture seeps into the cement and freezes, expanding and then thawing. This pattern weakens the pavement which can then be weakened further by traffic. Eventually the pavement will crumble and pop out which can create a risk for drivers.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is only responsible for all Ohio interstates, U.S. and state routes, outside of municipalities. ODOT asks for drivers to submit a form where they are able to narrow down who might be responsible for taking on the maintenance, whether its ODOT, an ODOT contractor or other agencies such as the municipality or county officials.

The Ohio Turnpike Commission is responsible for the turnpike, municipalities handle local roads, federal and state routes located within them. Counties and townships also handle local roads. 

If the roadways are outside of ODOT's jurisdiction then the notices or claims should be made with the agency who is responsible such as the city, township, village or county.

Cities across the state have set systems for drivers who are injured or had their cars damaged by potholes. 

Cleveland uses 10-12 crews throughout the winter to repair potholes and road damages across 10,200 main and residential streets. 

The city said the best time to repair is on dry days when the temperature is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit; officials use Cold Patch as a temporary fix which is pliable in cold weather made from aggregate and asphaltic materials. This is a temporary repair before a hot asphalt is used in the warmer months for a more permanent fixture.

Residents can contact the City of Cleveland City Support Specialists at 311 or at 216-664-2000. 

For vehicles damaged by a pothole in the city, residents can call the  Department of Law Claims at 216-664-2859 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department will review the claims and determine if there is a necessary reimbursement.

The city uses "Engage Toledo" for residents to report issues and concerns, including potholes.

Residents can call 24-hours a day at t 419-936-2020 for pressing emergencies such as sewer or water emergencies. The city also offers a mobile phone app that allows residents to attach a photograph to help crews locate the issues more efficiently. 

To view a map of reported concerns, click here.

City residents can use their mobile phones to report potholes or request other city services through the 311Cincy app which contains GPS mapping and allows residents to select the location of the service request and upload a photo with the request. 

Potholes can be reported by calling 513-591-6000 or by clicking here. 

Residents can file a damage claim after a pothole encounter, call 513-591-6000. The time, date and street address will need to be noted, and if the damage involved any city equipment. For pothole damage, a specific address is required, a description of the lane and any insurance damage claims.

Columbus residents can use the mobile CBUS 311 app or call  (614) 645-311 for a service request. They can then pin-drop to mark where the service is needed. Alongside the 311 requests, the city deploys Street Maintenance Investigators to locate and report potholes. 

The city handles more than 6,000 lane miles of local roadways and state routes for repairs.

On average, potholes are addressed quickly, with more than 90% of the holes being filled within three days of being reported. 

To report a pothole in Columbus, click here.

Residents must complete a claim statement form that must be filed with the city, which must be signed in front of a notary. For those claiming pothole damage, they will also need to provide the age of their tires that were damaged.

Dayton residents can also submit a service request to report a pothole or other road issues for the city to respond and take care of.