Alert archive / Ohio / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 71, NWS Wilmington, OH
NWS Wilmington, OH issued this flash flood warning at Aug 15, 2026, 11:26 PM EDT for Franklin County, Licking County, Ohio. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Aug 15, 2026, 11:26 PM EDT (03:26 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 16, 2026, 2:24 AM EDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Wilmington, OH
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Franklin County, OH, Licking County, OH
The radar
The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 111 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:29 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2:10 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Sse Beechwood Trails, OH | 6100 block of Watkins Road impassable due to high water. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 164 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 00:00Z, 3.4 hours before the alert went out and 109 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1073 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -29 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 970 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 30 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 146 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 201 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.7
- Supercell composite
- 4.2
The text
As transmitted.
376
WGUS51 KILN 160326
FFWILN
OHC049-089-160630-
/O.NEW.KILN.FF.W.0071.260816T0326Z-260816T0630Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
1126 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
East Central Franklin County in central Ohio...
Southwestern Licking County in central Ohio...
* Until 230 AM EDT.
* At 1126 PM EDT, radar and automated rain gauges indicated
thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between
2 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or
expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
flash flooding.
SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
* Some locations that may experience flash flooding include...
Reynoldsburg, Gahanna, Pataskala, Summit Station, Beechwood Trails,
Etna and Kirkersville.
This includes Blacklick Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
To report flash flooding, go to our website at weather.gov/iln and
submit your report via social media, when you can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3994 8281 3994 8285 4005 8286 4003 8255
3993 8256
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
351 follow-up statement
865
WGUS71 KILN 160624
FFSILN
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
224 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
OHC049-089-160634-
/O.CAN.KILN.FF.W.0071.000000T0000Z-260816T0630Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Franklin OH-Licking OH-
224 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR EAST CENTRAL FRANKLIN AND SOUTHWESTERN
LICKING COUNTIES IN CENTRAL OHIO HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A FLOOD
WARNING...
Flash flooding has ended across the area, but flooding continues.
Therefore the flash flood warning has been replaced by a flood
warning. Please refer to that bulletin for more information.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 800 AM EDT for portions of
Indiana and Ohio.
&&
LAT...LON 3994 8281 3994 8285 4005 8286 4003 8255
3993 8256
$$
35What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Wilmington, OH wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 15, 7:19 PM EDT, 4 hours 7 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through the weekend. Locally heavy rainfall and the threat of flooding will continue to be a concern. In addition, some storms could be severe. 2) Warmer conditions will spread into the area through the weekend. After the passage of a cold front, temperatures will drop to or slightly below normal temperatures for the early part of next week and it will become less humid.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 15, 7:19 PM EDT, 4 hours 7 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
719 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
No significant changes.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected
through the weekend. Locally heavy rainfall and the threat of
flooding will continue to be a concern. In addition, some storms
could be severe.
2) Warmer conditions will spread into the area through the weekend.
After the passage of a cold front, temperatures will drop to or
slightly below normal temperatures for the early part of next week
and it will become less humid.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1)
Thunderstorm complexes to continue to affect the area as impulses
track thru the active band of westerlies around the periphery of a
mid level ridge over the southeast CONUS. There is some uncertainty
but an MCV moving across Indiana combined with diurnal heating will
likely lead to additional storm development during the mid afternoon
across west central Ohio and then track across the FA thru this
evening. Overlap of favorable shear and instability (ML CAPE of
2000-2500 J/KG) will present a threat for severe weather. Damaging
winds will be the main threat, but can not rule out an isold
tornados threat given the low level shear.
After this evenings thunderstorms expect a general lull in coverage
of convective activity heading into the overnight hours. Thunderstorm
coverage to increase ahead ahead of a surface front as we head into
Sunday afternoon. Strong heating will yield moderate instability,
with scattered storms developing during the afternoon and spreading
to the east-southeast. Severe storms will again be possible with
damaging winds being the main threat. There is also an isold tornado
threat due to shear profiles.
The environment is still characterized by anomalously high
precipitable water and a very deep warm cloud layer. So extremely
efficient rainfall rates are expected. This could lead to flash
flooding, especially if any areas get repeated rounds of storms. HREF
LPMM suggest that the potential exists for bands of 2 to 4 inches
with locally higher amounts. Therefore, the flood watch has been
continued.
KEY MESSAGE 2)
A north-south temperature gradient looks to set up Sunday with
areas along and south of the Ohio River approaching 90 degrees for
highs. Combined with mid 70s dew points, the heat index will be near
100 in that part of the area.
A cold front will move through the region late Sunday and Sunday
night. In the wake of the front, temperatures will fall to or
slightly below normal.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Additional thunderstorms have develop in the heating of the day
ahead of an MCV. These storms will move across the area thru the
late evening. Some of the storms may become strong to severe. After
these storms pass, there is the potential for MVFR ceilings to
develop. At this point, the Columbus terminals have the greatest
potential for MVFR conditions. Additional storms are expected to
impact the TAF/s Sunday with a front that tracks southeast across
the area. Southwest winds shift to the west during the afternoon
with gusts up to 20 kts possible.
OUTLOOK..MVFR ceilings possible late Sunday night into Monday
morning.
&&
.ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...Flood Watch through Sunday morning for OHZ026-034-035-042>046-
051>056-060>065-070>074-080>082-088.
KY...None.
IN...Flood Watch through Sunday morning for INZ050-058-059-066.
&&
DISCUSSION...AR
AVIATION...ARHazardous weather outlook, Aug 15, 3:36 AM EDT, 19 hours 50 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wilmington OH 336 AM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026 INZ050-058-059-066-OHZ026-034-035-042>046-051>056-060>065-070>074- 080>082-088-160745- Wayne-Fayette-Union-Franklin-Hardin-Mercer-Auglaize-Darke-Shelby- Logan-Delaware-Miami-Champaign-Clark-Madison-Licking-Preble- Montgomery-Greene-Pickaway-Fairfield-Butler-Warren-Clinton-Ross- Hocking-Highland-Adams-Pike-Scioto- 336 AM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Indiana, southeast Indiana, central Ohio, south central Ohio, southwest Ohio and west central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. In addition, some storms could become severe this afternoon into this evening. Damaging winds are the primary threat, although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. More storms are possible on Sunday afternoon and evening. Once again, a few storms could be severe with damaging winds. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon. INZ073>075-080-KYZ089>100-OHZ077>079-160745- Ripley-Dearborn-Ohio-Switzerland-Carroll-Gallatin-Boone-Kenton- Campbell-Owen-Grant-Pendleton-Bracken-Robertson-Mason-Lewis-Hamilton- Clermont-Brown- 336 AM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Indiana, northeast Kentucky, northern Kentucky and southwest Ohio. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A couple of rounds of thunderstorms may move across the region. Some storms could become severe this afternoon into this evening. Damaging winds are the primary threat, although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. In addition, the heat index will approach 100. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. More storms are possible on Sunday afternoon and evening. Once again, a few storms could be severe with damaging winds. The heat index will be near 100 again on Sunday as well. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed this afternoon.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 15, 8:03 PM EDT, 3 hours 23 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
803 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0712 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 E Glencoe 38.72N 84.76W
08/15/2026 Grant KY 911 Call Center
Tree down completely blocking one lane of
Warsaw Road.
&&Local storm report, Aug 15, 9:30 PM EDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
930 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0829 PM Tornado 2 N Saint Paris 40.16N 83.95W
08/15/2026 Champaign OH 911 Call Center
Tree down on Ward Road property.
&&Local storm report, Aug 15, 10:04 PM EDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
1004 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0821 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ESE Saint Paris 40.12N 83.93W
08/15/2026 Champaign OH Emergency Mngr
Damage to barn siding and tree damage.
Possible tornado.
&&Local storm report, Aug 15, 11:12 PM EDT, 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
1112 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1112 PM Flood 1 S Whitehall 39.95N 82.88W
08/15/2026 Franklin OH Trained Spotter
High water between in E. Livingston and Main
Street areas.
&&Local storm report, Aug 15, 11:20 PM EDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
1120 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1119 PM Flood 1 WNW Dublin 40.10N 83.14W
08/15/2026 Franklin OH Amateur Radio
Flooding reported at SR33 and 270.
&&Local storm report, Aug 15, 11:22 PM EDT, 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
1122 PM EDT Sat Aug 15 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1115 PM Rain 1 NNE Marble Cliff 40.00N 83.05W
08/15/2026 M1.09 Inch Franklin OH Cocorahs
1.09 inches in 25 minutes.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Wilmington, OH issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 15, 8:00 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ILN | Champaign, Miami, Shelby | 30 min |
| Aug 15, 8:27 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ILN | Champaign | 33 min |
| Aug 15, 8:34 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ILN | Champaign, Logan | 26 min |
| Aug 15, 8:54 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ILN | Champaign | 25 min |
| Aug 15, 10:43 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ILN | Franklin | 32 min |
| Aug 15, 11:04 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ILN | Fairfield, Franklin | 26 min |
| Aug 15, 11:08 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILN | Franklin | 3 hr |
| Aug 15, 11:59 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILN | Licking | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 12:30 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILN | Fairfield | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 12:59 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | ILN | Fairfield | 4 hr |
| Aug 16, 2:24 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | ILN | Fairfield, Franklin, Licking | 5 hr |
| Aug 16, 4:37 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | ILN | Fayette | 23 min |
| Aug 16, 5:04 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | ILN | Fairfield | 6 hr |
| Aug 16, 5:07 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | ILN | Pike | 23 min |
| Aug 16, 7:22 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | ILN | Fairfield, Licking | 52 hr |
| Aug 16, 12:20 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | ILN | Madison | 25 min |
| Aug 16, 12:27 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILN | Clark, Franklin, Greene, Madison, Pickaway | 48 min |
| Aug 16, 12:55 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILN | Fairfield, Franklin, Licking | 35 min |
| Aug 16, 1:04 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | ILN | Licking | 26 min |
| Aug 16, 1:13 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | ILN | Licking | 47 min |
| Aug 16, 1:19 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | ILN | Licking | 11 min |
| Aug 16, 1:22 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILN | Fairfield, Licking | 38 min |
| Aug 16, 1:29 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | ILN | Fairfield | 31 min |
| Aug 16, 1:31 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | ILN | Licking | 29 min |
| Aug 16, 1:38 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | ILN | Fairfield, Hocking | 30 min |
| Aug 16, 6:07 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | ILN | Scioto | 38 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Ohio, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.