Severe Thunderstorms Sweep Through Central Ohio, Bringing 60-70 MPH Winds
Multiple severe thunderstorm warnings hit central Ohio April 14 as dangerous storms brought 70 mph winds and hail across the region.
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Severe thunderstorms with winds up to 70 mph and hail swept across central and western Ohio on April 14. The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings as the storm moved eastward through the evening.
The National Weather Service Wilmington office issued the first severe thunderstorm warning at 7:00 PM EDT for Mercer County and southwestern Auglaize County, tracking a storm near Portland moving east at 40 mph with 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail. The warning remained in effect until 7:45 PM EDT.
Storm System Intensifies Across Region
As the evening progressed, warnings were issued for multiple counties as the storm system strengthened. A particularly dangerous cell near St. Henry produced 70 mph wind gusts and half-dollar size hail at 7:33 PM EDT, according to radar data from the weather service.
The most significant warning covered Licking County in central Ohio, issued at 9:17 PM EDT for a severe thunderstorm located over Johnstown moving southeast at 50 mph. This storm threatened numerous communities with 60 mph winds and potential tree and power line damage.
Locations impacted by the Licking County storm included Newark, Heath, Granville, Pataskala, Johnstown, Buckeye Lake, Hebron, Utica, Hanover, Harbor Hills, Granville South, Marne, Beechwood Trails, Summit Station, Thornport, New Albany, Jersey, Kirkersville, Alexandria, and St. Louisville.
Interstate Travel Affected
The storms posed hazards to Interstate 70 travelers, with warnings specifically mentioning impacts between mile markers 124 and 144. The weather service advised motorists to expect damage to trees and power lines along the heavily traveled corridor.
Earlier storms also affected the Delaware and Marysville areas, with a severe thunderstorm warning issued at 8:50 PM EDT for a cell moving east at 35 mph. Communities in the path included Delaware, Marysville, Powell, Plain City, New California, Radnor, Shawnee Hills, Ostrander, Magnetic Springs, Unionville Center, Delaware State Park, Stratford, Bellepoint, Warrensburg, Pharisburg, Watkins, Chuckery, and New Dover.
Multi-County Watch Remains Active
The National Weather Service had issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 112 beginning at 5:01 PM EDT, initially covering seven Ohio counties and four Indiana counties. The watch was later extended multiple times, ultimately remaining in effect until 11:00 PM EDT for much of west central Ohio.
Counties under the extended watch included Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby, Madison, Union, Champaign, Clark, Hardin, and Logan counties. Major cities affected included Downtown Dayton, Kettering, Springfield, Urbana, Marysville, Plain City, West Jefferson, Troy, Piqua, Sidney, St. Marys, Celina, Coldwater, New Bremen, Minster, Wapakoneta, Camden, Eaton, and Greenville.
The severe weather outbreak demonstrated the rapid development and movement of spring storm systems across Ohio, with meteorologists tracking multiple cells simultaneously as they moved through populated areas during the evening hours.
