Update, 8:30 p.m.: The last tornado warning expired in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky after thunderstorms and strong winds battered parts of the region.
A flood advisory is now in effect until 11:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20 for parts of Hamilton County, Ohio, and Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky along the Ohio River.
The National Weather Service says minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas is to be expected. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inch are possible.
Some locations that may experience flooding include Cincinnati, Covington, Florence, Independence, Erlanger, Fort Thomas, Newport, Edgewood, Alexandria, Elsmere, Fort Mitchell, Villa Hills, Highland Heights, Taylor Mill, Fort Wright, Lawrenceburg, Greendale, Ludlow, Southgate and Crescent Springs.
Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Update, 8:05 p.m.: Power outages are reported for more than 1,500 people across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky as storms continue to move across the area, according to Duke Energy.
Stretches of Erlanger, Edgewood and Crestview Hills, Kentucky, are seeing the most reported outages so far, with 700 outages there alone. One stretch along Madison Pike has nearly 400 outages, according to Duke Energy.
First responders across the area are responding to reports of downed power lines and trees in the roadway, according to radio traffic.
Remember: do not touch a power line or anything touching a power line such as tree limps, tools and toys. Power lines that have fallen are dangerous and should not be moved. Duke Energy advises calling them at 800-228-8485 or calling 911 to report a downed power line.
Update, 8:01 p.m.: The tornado warning has been extended until 8:30 p.m. for parts of Northern Kentucky as the storm moves south.
People in southern parts of Kenton and Campbell counties are advised to take cover now as radar has indicated a tornado is in the area, according to an alert from the National Weather Service. No hail is expected.
Parts of Northern Kentucky are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 8:30 p.m. as well.
The weather service advises moving to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Update, 7:52 p.m.: The severe thunderstorm warning has been extended until 8:30 p.m. for parts of Northern Kentucky south of Independence.
Parts of Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties – and south in Grant and Pendleton counties – could see wind up to 60 mph and pea-sized hail, according to the National Weather Service. A tornado is also possible.
Update, 7:39 p.m.: The tornado warning has been extended until 8 p.m. for parts of Northern Kentucky.
Parts of Boone County, Kentucky including Florence, Independence and Erlanger are under a tornado warning until 8 p.m., meaning a radar indicated that a tornado is possible in the area.
At 7:34 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Elsmere, moving southeast at 30 mph.
The tornado warning for Hamilton County, Ohio and Cincinnati expired at 7:30 p.m. A flood watch is still in effect until the morning for the region.
The weather service advises all to take cover now. Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Update, 7:03 p.m.: A tornado warning has been issued until 7:30 p.m. in parts of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, meaning a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado has been seen in the area.
At 6:59 p.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Cleves, moving southeast at 25 MPH, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service says flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
Locations impacted include Cincinnati, Covington, Florence, Independence, Erlanger, Newport, Harrison, Edgewood, Elsmere, Cheviot, Fort Mitchell, Villa Hills, Taylor Mill, Fort Wright, Lawrenceburg, Greendale, Ludlow, Crescent Springs, Crestview Hills, and Park Hills.
The weather service advises all to take cover now. Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Update, 6:45 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued in the core of the Greater Cincinnati area, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
The warning covers most of Hamilton County, as well as parts of southern Butler County and parts of Dearborn and Franklin counties in Indiana. The warning is in effect until 7:15 p.m. on July 20.
The weather service says winds up to 60 mph and pea-sized hail are the main threats in this warning. Additionally, all of southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana is still under a flood watch.
Original coverage: Heavy rains and thunderstorms could cause flash flooding Sunday in parts of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms to move across the region Sunday afternoon through Monday morning, posing a risk of excessive runoff flooding rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, according to a National Weather Service alert.
From 1 p.m. on July 20 to 11 a.m. on July 21, a flood watch will be in effect for Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky; Dearborn County in Indiana; and other counties in the region.
Damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are the main severe threat for the region, which forecasters say there is a slight risk of Sunday. Isolated hail cannot be ruled out.
Forecasters say people in the storm area, especially those living in areas prone to flooding, should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Cincinnati 7-day detailed forecast
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 100. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday night: Showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2am and 4am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 71. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., then a chance of showers between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Light northeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tuesday: A slight chance of showers after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 67.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Source: National Weather Service office in Wilmington, Ohio
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Tornado warnings expire in region as thunderstorms and winds pass; flooding still a risk
Reporting by David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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