Editor's Note:
This is a developing story. Check back for updates throughout the day.
LOUDONVILLE — The southern portion of Ashland County could see tornadoes, hail, lightning and flooding today between 3:30 and 9:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service and Ashland County EMA.
Anne Strouth, the county’s EMA director, said the risk level is high, at four out of five.
The NWS categorizes risk levels from one to five. A four means weather could be “widespread severe storms likely” and that they will likely be “long-lived, widespread and intense.”
Strouth said wind gusts could reach up to more than 70 mph and that hail reaching of to two inches in diameter could fall.
The EMA director urged residents to have a plan for taking shelter.
“The timing of today’s weather event is between 3-10 p.m., with a peak time around 6 p.m.,” she said.
Tornado watch vs. warning
Tornado watch
- A tornado watch means a tornado is possible. A tornado watch is issued when weather conditions favor the formation of tornadoes.
- During a tornado watch, you should
- Stay tuned to local radio and TV stations, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, or your mobile phone for further weather information.
- Watch the weather and be prepared to take shelter immediately if conditions worsen.
Tornado warning
- A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
- You should immediately take shelter during a tornado warning.
NWS issued a flood watch at 11:45 a.m.
The watch is in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday, affecting north central Ohio including Richland, Ashland and Crawford counties.
Multiple rounds of showers and storms will move across the area through this evening, according to the NWS.
Total rainfall amounts through this evening will range between 2 and 3 inches, including rainfall that fell Monday night and into Tuesday morning.
According to NWS, the Mohican River in Loudonville measured 9.39 feet at 5 p.m.
The NWS considers it the “action stage” when the river reaches nine feet, which means “the NWS or a partner/user needs to take some type of mitigation action in preparation for possible significant hydrologic activity.”
Minor flooding occurs when the river reaches 10 feet and the moderate level — when buildings and roads near the stream flood — happens when the river reaches 11 feet.
Loudonville’s gauge is located at the Main Street bridge.
School closures
Some local schools have closed in preparation for the severe weather.
Both Mapleton School District and Hillsdale Local Schools will close early, at 1 p.m.
Loudonville-Perrysville Schools will also release students two hours early because of the forecasted weather. The district’s afternoon preschool, practices and games “and other after-school activities, including Community Resource Night are canceled,” according to a Facebook post.
Road closures
The following roads in Ashland County are closed because of flooding:
- County Road 1950, east of County Road 175
- County Road 1600, between State Route 89 and County Road 1575
- Township Road 126, between Township Road 1601 and Township Road 1461.
- County Road 500, west of U.S. Route 250
Receive text alerts
Residents can receive text alerts straight to phones via text message for emergencies and alerts such as boil advisories, tornados and floods, among other incidents.
Only 11% of Ashland County residents had signed up for the free service as of January.
To sign up for the Wireless Emergency Notification System, commonly referred to as WENS, click here.
