Richland County prepares for damaging-wind threat as storms move through north-central Ohio

About 2,400 Richland County customers were without electricity Wednesday night after the Sept. 9 storms crossed north-central Ohio, and roughly 400 outages remained early Thursday afternoon, a storm recap said.

Before the storms arrived, Richland County warned of strong to severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph as the chief concern. Heavy rain, isolated nuisance flooding and a brief tornado also were possible.

Current status

The Sept. 9 weather threat was no longer active by Sept. 13. The roughly 400 outages reported early Thursday afternoon were the last confirmed local count, and the severe-weather window and Severe Thunderstorm Watch had expired.

Beyond those outages, no local damage, road or school disruptions, or storm-related public-safety response had been confirmed.

Wind was the main threat

“North central Ohio could be in the path of a strong storm on Wednesday night,” said Sarah Potes, who was Richland County Emergency Management Agency director when the warning was issued.

The local forecast identified damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph as the primary concern. “Most of Richland County is in the slight risk area,” Potes said.

Forecasters had the greatest confidence in severe storms along and east of Interstate 71. The main window for storms was 5 to 10 p.m. Sept. 9.

The Storm Prediction Center also issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 665 for parts of northern Ohio and neighboring states through 11 p.m. That broader watch warned that scattered damaging gusts could reach 65 mph.

Local alerts and shelter

Richland County EMA can send emergency and community notifications through its RC Alerts service by cellphone, work phone, text message, email or home phone. Residents can enroll by texting RICHLANDOH to 888777.

For severe storms, the National Weather Service advises travelers to delay their trip or pull off the road and find shelter rather than drive through a severe thunderstorm. Anyone caught outdoors should enter a substantial building or, if none is available, a hard-topped metal vehicle with its windows closed.

Once inside, National Weather Service safety guidance says residents should stay away from windows and doors and avoid corded phones, plumbing and electrical equipment until the storm passes.

Outage and power-line help

FirstEnergy customers can report a current outage online, text OUT to 544487 or call 1-888-544-4877. The utility’s outage map can be searched by county, town, city or municipality.

Anyone who encounters a downed power line should call 911, remain at least 30 feet away and warn others to keep their distance. FirstEnergy advises treating every downed line as energized.