Storms cause power outages, damage, and road closures in Ohio

OHIO — Powerful storms swept through the region late Wednesday night, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and widespread damage.

Thousands remain without power as crews work to clear downed trees, power lines, and debris.

Storm Damage and Road Closures

Authorities across multiple counties have reported storm-related damage and road closures:

Montgomery County

• Power lines are down on Germantown Liberty Road.
• Trees have fallen at multiple locations, including S. Diamond Mill and Manning Road in Jackson Township and the 6500 block of Diamond Rill in German Township.
• The Miami Valley Fire District shared images of a tree that crashed into a house on Prystup Place.

Mercer County

• The county’s 911 call center reported power poles and trees down in several areas, including Montezuma.

Warren County

• Hamilton Township Police have announced several road closures:
  • Sibcy Road is blocked at 8696 due to a fallen tree.
  • Maineville Road is closed at 9748 due to power lines hanging in the roadway.
  • Zoar Road is blocked at Eagle Boulevard by a fallen tree.

Power Outages Impact Thousands

As of Thursday morning, thousands of Ohioans remain without electricity:

• Miami Valley: Over 13,067 outages, including 3,960 AES Ohio customers.
• Duke Energy reports 9,107 outages across Butler and Warren counties.
• AEP Ohio has more than 10,000 outages, primarily affecting Fairfield, Licking, and Perry counties.

Staying Safe During Power Outages

AEP Ohio has provided tips to help residents stay safe:

• Assemble an emergency kit with essentials like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, and medications.
• Stay away from downed power lines and report them to AEP Ohio at (800) 672-2231 or call 911.
• Avoid handling debris near power lines.
• Use generators safely and notify AEP Ohio if you are using one.
• Keep major appliances unplugged to protect them when power is restored.
• Never burn charcoal indoors or use fuel-fired stoves without proper ventilation.

Utility crews are working to restore power, but no timeline has been provided for full restoration.

Residents are advised to check with their power providers for updates and to use caution when traveling in affected areas.