Columbus and Southeast Ohio Recover from Derecho as More Rain Forecasted
Columbus and Southeast Ohio Recover from Derecho as More Rain Forecasted
US · Published Aug 13, 2026
Central and southeastern Ohio are recovering from a series of severe storms, including a confirmed derecho that caused widespread damage on August 11,
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther declared a state of emergency on August 12 to expedite recovery efforts. The storms caused significant destruction, including toppled trees, damaged homes and businesses, and power outages affecting tens of thousands of residents. Emergency crews are working to restore power, with Franklin County reporting over 53,600 outages as of 5 p.m. on August

Impact & Risks

The derecho and subsequent storms have caused extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses in central and southeastern Ohio. Tens of thousands remain without power, and flooding risks persist in areas like Licking County. Emergency shelters have been opened in Franklin and Perry counties to assist displaced residents. While additional storms are forecasted, meteorologists do not expect them to produce as much rain or cause widespread flooding as the previous events. Residents should remain vigilant, especially in flood-prone areas, and prepare for potential disruptions.

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