Tornado Damage in Madison County

Tornado alarms rang in Franklin County due to a suspected tornado near the border of Madison County early Wednesday. The National Weather Service in Wilmington hasn’t confirmed if a tornado actually hit, as they need to check the damage firsthand. Meteorologists will survey the area on Wednesday, especially focusing on the stretch along Interstate 70 between Dayton and Columbus where most of the damage seems to be.

The National Weather Service wants anyone affected by the storm to reach out to them. In Jefferson Township, located in eastern Franklin County, significant damage was reported. Many trees fell near Havens Corners Road and North Waggoner Road, blocking some roads. Parts of Havens Road and McOwen Road are currently closed due to fallen trees.

The Madison County Airport, situated west of West Jefferson along U.S. 40, also suffered significant damage.

How can I tell if roads are closed?

Reports indicate multiple road closures in the area. The Ohio Department of Transportation has announced the closure of the southbound lanes of Interstate 71 below U.S. 62 due to debris on the road.

You can use ODOT’s online traffic monitor, Ohgo.com, to check for significant travel disruptions caused by weather, construction, delays, or accidents. The website provides a map displaying major road closures and heavy traffic. Additionally, you can select a camera on the map to view real-time conditions as you plan your journey.

A timeline of a stormy morning in Central Ohio

A tornado warning was active for Franklin County until 5:45 a.m. Reports of tornado debris surfaced near West Jefferson along the Madison-Franklin border and in Hilliard. The National Weather Service tweeted at 5:22 a.m. that a tornado touched down east of London and was moving eastward into Franklin County.

Another warning was issued for Licking and Fairfield counties until 6:15 a.m. Later, the warning was extended to include Perry and Morgan counties.

At 6:57 a.m., the National Weather Service lifted the tornado watch for the area, although it warned that strong winds are still expected throughout the afternoon. Temperatures are also forecasted to drop into the 20s later today.

The NWS advises that flying debris poses a significant danger to those without shelter, and mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed. Additionally, expect damage to roofs, windows, vehicles, and trees.

Thunderstorms accompanying the storm may bring wind gusts up to 70 mph.

Due to the anticipated severe weather, Franklin County canceled the scheduled noon Wednesday tornado siren warning test.

Are schools delayed due to tornado warning?

Many local schools have announced delays due to the severe weather. Here’s a list of the delays compiled for your convenience.

How can I check for power outages during the storm?

AEP Ohio provides an online map showing power outages in the area.

As of about 7:10 a.m., approximately 7,000 people were without power across the region, according to AEP. Columbus Power reported around 1,000 customers without electricity.

Additionally, the Columbus Division of Power has its own outage map. If your address is included on this map, there’s no need to report an outage at your location because the city is already aware of it.

To report new power outages within the city, you can call 614-645-7627.

Is my flight from Columbus delayed?

There were some flight delays reported at John Glenn International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, but it’s uncertain if they were due to the weather.

To check the status of your flight, you can visit FlyColumbus.com, use your airline’s app, or contact your airline directly.

Are tornadoes common in the winter?

Typically, December and January are considered less common months for tornadoes, as stated by the National Weather Service. However, by late February, severe weather and tornadoes become “fairly common.”

With climate change causing Ohio springs to arrive earlier and fall to extend later, there’s a possibility of seeing more winter tornadoes in the future.

Tornadoes are most frequently observed during the spring and summer months, particularly from April through July.

What’s the weather for the rest of the week?

Here’s the weather forecast:

Wednesday: There’s a possibility of thunderstorms before 11 a.m., followed by a chance of showers between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. It will be cloudy with temperatures dropping to about 36 by 5 p.m. Expect breezy conditions, with a southwest wind of 16 to 23 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23. The west wind will be 11 to 17 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 41.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Friday: Mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of rain after 1 p.m. High near 48.

Friday Night: Cloudy with a 30% chance of rain before 1 a.m. Low around 41.

Saturday: Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 59.

Saturday Night: It will be partly cloudy with a low around 44.