- Three large storm systems moved through central Ohio beginning Monday night and into Tuesday afternoon, with the second wave causing wind speeds of up to 82 MPH, heavy downpours, snapped utility poles, property damage, downed trees and flooding.
- Power outages escalated from 10,000 customers overnight Monday to over 130,000 by Tuesday afternoon, then to 75,000 by Wednesday, and nearly 30,000 at 6 a.m. Thursday for American Electric Power (AEP).
- Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther declared a mayoral emergency, noting that for the first time in city history, the Columbus Division of Fire dispatched every unit in response to over 1,100 calls on Tuesday, with the South Side hit particularly hard and significant infrastructural damage.
- Gov. Mike DeWine noted the state’s primary concern is flooding, as rain remains in Thursday’s forecast, and mentioned that 16 individuals were impacted by a lightning strike at the Grafton prison in Lorain County, with four hospitalized including two brought to Columbus.
- As of Thursday morning approximately 30,000 Franklin County residents remain without power after storms ravaged the area Tuesday afternoon.
- As of 6:45 a.m. Thursday, more than 49,800 Duke Energy customers remain in the dark, and even more are without power who get their power through services like Owen Electric.
- By Wednesday, around 75,000 AEP customers were still without power, and restoration efforts could be slowed by rain on Thursday afternoon and evening.
- The Hartwell Recreation Center will be providing food and shelter to those in need while the power remains out.
- Experts advise throwing away any perishable food if you are still without power, and SNAP benefit recipients might be eligible for replacements but must file an application with Ohio Jobs and Family Services within 10 days.
- For those using generators, keep them outside, dry, and away from windows.
Tens of thousands of Ohio residents are still without power after a derecho struck Greater Cincinnati, leaving over 49,800 Duke Energy customers in the dark as of Thursday morning. Restoration efforts are hindered by impending rain, with officials declaring emergencies and opening shelters for those affected.1213
The storm, which began Monday night, caused significant damage with wind speeds reaching 82 MPH and heavy downpours, leading to over 130,000 outages at its peak. As of Thursday, approximately 30,000 Franklin County residents remain without power, with many areas still awaiting crew assignments for repairs.34511
In Green Township, residents face challenges as downed power lines and trees block roads. Local resident Steve Calardo expressed concern, stating, “I don’t see it happening any time soon.” Meanwhile, Dan Evans noted the financial strain on families losing food due to power outages, saying, “Some people are losing hundreds or more in food just in their freezers and fridges.”
The American Red Cross has opened shelters, including at the Scioto Southland Community Center, to assist those in need. Governor Mike DeWine emphasized the state's focus on flooding concerns as rain is forecasted to continue, complicating restoration efforts.8910
Duke Energy has deployed around 3,700 crew members to restore power, prioritizing critical infrastructures first, such as hospitals and urgent care facilities.
“As of Thursday morning, over 49,800 Duke Energy customers and nearly 30,000 AEP customers are still in the dark, with some outages not yet assigned crews. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther declared a mayoral emergency after the fire division dispatched every unit to over 1,100 calls on Tuesday.”
WLWT
