Parts of central Ohio are under a flash flood warning, and multiple rounds of storms will bring strong winds and more heavy rain, forecasters say.
A flash flood warning was issued for Fairfield County, eastern Franklin County, southwestern Licking County and Hocking County at 5:30 a.m. Aug. 11 after morning thunderstorms brought heavy rain to the area. Law enforcement reported flash flooding from these storms to the weather service, according to the flood warning.
By 5:30 a.m., 1-2.5 inches of rain had fallen, and another one or two inches were possible.
Multiple rounds of storms are expected throughout the day today, with strong to damaging winds and very heavy rain and flash flooding being the primary threats. The heavy rain/flash flooding potential
will linger through tonight into early Wednesday morning. pic.twitter.com/F2EPA7gKVd
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) August 11, 2026
The weather service urged motorists not to drive through flooded roads, noting most flood deaths happen in vehicles. The warning is in place until 8:30 a.m.
Flood watch underway through Wednesday morning
Central Ohio is under a flood watch through the morning of Aug. 12, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington
Flash flooding from excessive rainfall is possible in central, western and southwestern ohio along with a portion of Indiana, the weather service said. Multiple rounds of storms will bring heavy rainfall in small areas, and it’s possible some of the storms will repeatedly track over the same locations, adding to the potential for flash flooding.
Tornadoes ‘cannot be ruled out’
Damaging winds are also possible during the storms in central Ohio, the weather service said.
The winds may result in widespread damage and power outages, according to a hazardous weather outlook from the weather service.
Isolated tornadoes ‘cannot be ruled out,’ the weather service said.
Strongest storms expected in afternoon, early evening
An initial round of thunderstorms moved through central Ohio early in the morning Aug. 11, dumping rain on the area.
Several more rounds of thunderstorms are expected. The weather service said the strongest storms will happen during the afternoon and early evening hours. Those storms could bring damaging winds.
Because multiple rounds of storms are expected, the timing of the storms for any particular area is somewhat uncertain, the weather service said.
The risk for heavy rain and flash flooding will likely persist overnight and into early in the morning Aug. 12.
Public safety and breaking news reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Central Ohio under flash flood warning, several rounds of storms coming
