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NewsWPLG Local 10 – EspañolAugust 12, 2026Miami-Dade

Columbus Mayor declares emergency following severe storms and power outages across Midwest

Mayor Andrew Ginther declared a state of emergency in Columbus, Ohio, to facilitate cleanup and power restoration efforts after severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding impacted the Midwest. The storms have caused widespread power outages for approximately 700,000 customers and resulted in multiple fatalities across Indiana and Ohio.

emergency managementweatherpublic safetyinfrastructuredisaster relief
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10 – Español

Why It Matters

Residents in the affected regions face ongoing power outages, property damage, and hazardous travel conditions, with emergency services actively conducting rescues and cleanup operations.

Key Facts

  • Mayor Andrew Ginther declared a state of emergency in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday.
  • Approximately 700,000 utility customers remained without power across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia as of Wednesday midday.
  • A 4-year-old child died in Geneva, Indiana, due to a fallen tree.
  • One resident died in Roseville, Ohio, after emergency responders could not reach them due to flooded roads.
  • A lightning strike at a prison southwest of Cleveland injured 16 incarcerated individuals.
  • Governor Mike DeWine deployed 40 members of the Ohio National Guard to assist in two counties east of Columbus.
  • Dayton, Ohio, set a daily rainfall record of 5.25 centimeters (2.07 inches), surpassing a 1915 record.
  • In Athens County, Ohio, 300 people called 911 on Tuesday, including 42 reports of vehicles trapped in floodwaters.
  • Wind gusts reached 159 km/h (99 mph) in Gary, Indiana, and 128 km/h (80 mph) in other locations.
  • The storm system was identified as a 'derecho,' a long-lived wind event capable of damage comparable to tornadoes.

Who's Mentioned

personAndrew Ginther“Mayor of Columbus, Ohio”organizationOhio National Guard“Deployed to assist in storm-affected counties”organizationNational Weather Service“Provided meteorological data and storm warnings”personTeresa Fouts-Imler“Director of emergency management in Athens County, Ohio”personMike DeWine“Governor of Ohio”