COLUMBUS, Ohio — Some thunderstorms that brought downpours and strong winds moved through central Ohio Wednesday evening.
Clear skies and sunshine today helped some showers and storms develop earlier this afternoon. Isolated storms likely caused slight issues for the evening commute.
Storms moved out of the central Ohio area between 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For a list of active weather alerts, click here.
These storms also brought potential winds of 40 to 50 mph.
Check the radar before you hit the roads and plan on needing a few extra minutes to get where you're going if you're in the path.
If you're headed out to any outdoor events, delays will be possible. So make sure you are staying up to date with organizers and the 10TV app.
Showers wrap up shortly after 8 p.m. and we look dry, quiet and comfortable through the remainder of the night.
Preparing for severe thunderstorms
*Information from the National Weather Service
- Be weather-ready: Download the free 10TV News mobile app to receive weather alerts and personalized weather forecasts for your area.
- Create a communications plan: Have a family plan that includes an emergency meeting place and related information. Pick a safe room in your home such as a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Practice your plan: Conduct a family severe thunderstorm drill regularly so everyone knows what to do if damaging winds or large hail is approaching. Make sure all members of your family know to go there when severe thunderstorm warnings are issued. Don't forget pets if time allows.
- Prepare Your Home : Keep trees and branches trimmed near your house. If you have time before severe weather hits, secure loose objects, close windows and doors, and move any valuable objects inside or under a sturdy structure.
- Help Your Neighbor: Encourage your loved ones to prepare for severe thunderstorms. Take CPR training so you can help if someone is hurt during severe weather.
During severe thunderstorms
- Stay weather-ready with the 10TV News app.
- At Your House: Go to your secure location if you hear a severe thunderstorm warning. Damaging wind or large hail may be approaching. Take your pets with you if time allows.
- At Your Workplace or School: Stay away from windows if you are in a severe thunderstorm warning and damaging wind or large hail is approaching. Do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums.
- Outside: Go inside a sturdy building immediately if severe thunderstorms are approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Taking shelter under a tree can be deadly. The tree may fall on you. Standing under a tree also put you at a greater risk of getting struck by lightning.
- In a Vehicle: Being in a vehicle during severe thunderstorms is safer than being outside; however, drive to the closest secure shelter if there is sufficient time.
After severe thunderstorms
- Contact Your Family and Loved Ones: Let your family and close friends know that you're okay so they can help spread the word. Text messages or social media are more reliable forms of communication than phone calls.
- Assess the Damage: After you are sure the severe weather threat has ended, check your property for damages. When walking through storm damage, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes. Contact local authorities if you see power lines down. Stay out of damaged buildings. Be aware of insurance scammers if your property has been damaged.
- Help Your Neighbor: If you come across people that are injured and you are properly trained, if needed, provide first aid to victims until emergency response team members arrive.
