COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Valley, including parts of southern Ohio, is under a heightened state of alert as a significant tornado outbreak is expected through tonight, prompting a rare “high risk” severe weather outlook from NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC).
This “high risk” designation, the highest level of severe weather threat (level 5 out of 5), is reserved for exceptionally volatile weather patterns and is only issued a few times a year. The SPC is warning of the potential for multiple, long-lived EF3 or stronger tornadoes across the lower Ohio Valley, as well as the mid-South and mid-Mississippi valleys.
“A tornado outbreak is expected this afternoon into early tonight from parts of the lower Mississippi Valley into the Mid-South and lower Ohio Valley,” the SPC stated. A line of strong to severe storms is pushing eastward, with rotating thunderstorms already observed in areas to the south and west.
A “Particularly Dangerous Situation” tornado watch is in effect until midnight CDT for areas including southern Indiana and western Kentucky, indicating a heightened threat of strong tornadoes, destructive wind gusts, and very large hail. Additional tornado watches have been issued for parts of Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Missouri.
Radar has confirmed tornado damage in Oklahoma and Missouri earlier in the day, highlighting the severity of the ongoing weather system.
For Ohio, particularly southern regions within the lower Ohio Valley, the primary threat is the potential for strong, long-lived tornadoes capable of producing EF3 or stronger damage. The severe weather threat is expected to continue into the evening and overnight hours, requiring residents to remain vigilant and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
The SPC is urging residents across the affected region, including those in the Ohio Valley, to take the following precautions:
- Stay Informed: Monitor local news, weather radio, and online sources for the latest warnings and updates.
- Have a Plan: Develop a severe weather safety plan, including designated safe shelters.
- Multiple Warning Methods: Ensure you have multiple ways to receive severe weather alerts, especially during overnight hours.
- Seek Shelter: If a tornado warning is issued, seek immediate shelter in a basement, interior room, or storm cellar.
The situation is developing rapidly, and residents in the affected areas, including parts of Ohio, are urged to take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
