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NewsWPLG Local 10 – Main FeedAugust 12, 2026Miami-Dade

Columbus Mayor declares emergency following severe storms and power outages

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to facilitate cleanup and power restoration efforts following severe storms that caused widespread damage across the Midwest. The storms, which included tornadoes and high winds, resulted in multiple fatalities, hundreds of thousands of power outages, and significant flooding across several states.

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Why It Matters

The emergency declaration allows the city of Columbus to expedite resources for storm recovery, while residents across the Midwest face ongoing power outages, flood risks, and property damage.

Key Facts

  • Mayor Andrew Ginther declared a state of emergency in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday.
  • Approximately 700,000 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, after a tree fell on a home.
  • A resident of Roseville, Ohio, died during a medical emergency when 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), breaking 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.
  • The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes in counties south of Chicago.

Who's Mentioned

personAndrew Ginther“Mayor of Columbus”organizationOhio National Guard“Deployed to assist in storm recovery”organizationNational Weather Service“Provided weather data and storm confirmation”personTeresa Fouts-Imler“Director of emergency management in Athens County”personMike DeWine“Governor of Ohio”locationChicago“Area affected by tornadoes and flight delays”locationDayton“City that set a new rainfall record”