Tornado sirens are sounding off in Franklin County following a confirmed tornado sighting near the border of Madison County, moving from west to east.
A tornado warning is active for Franklin County until 5:45 a.m. Reports of tornado debris near West Jefferson along the Madison-Franklin border have been received. The National Weather Service tweeted at 5:22 a.m. that a tornado touched down east of London and is moving eastward into Franklin County.
Warnings are also in effect for Licking and Fairfield counties until 6:15 p.m., with extensions to Perry and Morgan counties.
[6:15 am update] As the primary tornado-related activity in the Columbus, OH area shifts out of the area, strong storms remain possible in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky. At this time, tornado threat appears limited for these storms. Can't rule out hail and strong winds. pic.twitter.com/h7Xwh3CBM8
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) February 28, 2024
Source: Twitter/NWSILN
The National Weather Service warns that flying debris poses a significant danger to individuals without shelter. Mobile homes are at risk of being damaged or destroyed, while roofs, windows, and vehicles are likely to sustain damage. Additionally, extensive tree damage is expected.
The accompanying thunderstorms bring wind gusts of up to 70 mph in the affected areas.
Do Tornado Warnings Result in School Delays?
New Albany - Plain Local Schools have declared a two-hour delay, with no morning Kindergarten, preschool, or Eagles Nest sessions due to Wednesday's weather advisories. Westerville schools have announced a one-hour delay in response to the storms.
How can I check for power outages during the storm?
AEP Ohio provides an online map displaying power outages in the region.
The Columbus Division of Power also maintains its outage map. If your address appears on the map, there's no requirement to report an outage at your location, as the city is already aware.
For new power outages within the city, reports can be made by calling 614-645-7627.
Are tornadoes common in the winter?
The National Weather Service notes that December and January typically witness fewer occurrences of tornadoes compared to other months. However, as February progresses, the likelihood of severe weather events and tornadoes increases significantly.
With climate change causing Ohio springs to arrive earlier and fall to linger longer, there's a growing possibility of experiencing more tornadoes during the winter months.
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