A warm front lifted through the Ohio Valley, sparking thunderstorms in a moist airmass. Some of these storms produced locally heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding and flash flooding.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS ILN wrote it up.
A warm front lifted through the Ohio Valley, sparking thunderstorms in a moist airmass. Some of these storms produced locally heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding and flash flooding.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Mar 4, 11:20 PM EST, 50 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
1120 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Issued dense fog advisory
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) More heavy rain/flooding potential tonight into Thursday along
with a limited potential for strong to severe storms this evening.
2) Near record temperatures possible Friday.
3) More showers and storms expected on Saturday.
4) Very warm temperatures and unsettled conditions return towards
the middle of next week.
5) Dense fog overnight.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1) More heavy rain/flooding potential tonight into Thursday along
with a limited potential for strong to severe storms this evening.
East-west frontal boundary remains across southern Indiana extending
east near the Ohio-Kentucky border. Moisture convergence along this
is fairly weak, but that has not precluded showers and storms to
track just south of the boundary. For the early part of the
afternoon, instability is minimal, but it will increase later this
afternoon into the evening, particularly to the south and west of
Cincinnati. MCS across Missouri to start the period will continue
east northeast and move across the region late this afternoon into
this evening. There could be enough instability across parts of
northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana to allow for a strong or even
marginally severe storm to occur.
In the wake of this MCS, expect something of a lull, although the
surface boundary will have lifted further north into the area.
Another disturbance that will strengthen a low level jet move move in
late tonight into Thursday morning bringing more showers and
embedded thunderstorms with a focus near the boundary's new
location.
With very high precipitable water remaining in place, there will
continue to be the potential for moderate to heavy rainfall in
addition to repeated rounds of rain. The higher QPF axis does overlap
with the area that got the most rainfall in the past 24 hours which
brings even higher concern for flooding. Thus the initial flood
watch has been extended to 18Z Thursday. There was a slight
reorientation as the threat looks to not be as high for far southern
counties, however heavier rain could be further north into central
Ohio.
KEY MESSAGE 2) Near record temperatures possible Friday.
Mid level ridging will build in the wake of a short wave Thursday
night with heights reaching their peak across the area on Friday.
Southerly low level flow will increase and a very strong 850 mb
temperature anomaly will be centered over the Great Lakes. Forecast
highs are near record for March 6. Record warm lows are also
possible.
KEY MESSAGE 3) More showers and storms expected on Saturday.
Sheared, positively tilted short wave is forecast to cross the region
on Saturday. Expect a pre-frontal trough to accompany this with a
cold front lagging and not moving through until Saturday night. There
are timing differences within the ensemble suite which would have an
impact on how much instability is realized across the forecast area.
Probability of CAPE reaching 500 J/kg is only 30 percent in south
central Ohio and northeast Kentucky. So the potential for strong
storms looks limited with various AI forecasts having the maximum
potential further east. There is a high probability of showers and
storms but with it being progressive, heavy rainfall is a much lesser
concern.
KEY MESSAGE 4) Very warm temperatures and unsettled conditions
return towards the middle of next week.
Mid level pattern will gain amplitude again towards the middle of
next week as a closed low moves into the central part of the country.
This will allow temperatures to soar back into the 70s on Tuesday,
although records are a bit warmer that day. There will be the
potential for showers and storms, especially heading into Wednesday
as a cold front pushes into the region.
KEY MESSAGE 5) Dense fog overnight.
Dense fog has developed and will continue to develop for several
hours overnight primarily near Interstate 70 and Interstate 75 and
points northwest. Issued a dense fog advisory.
&&
.AVIATION /04Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Unsettled weather pattern to continue with a qusai-stationay west-
east oriented frontal boundary across the area. A couple of
shortwaves to affect the area overnight into Thursday. A shortwave
over the Lower Ohio Valley to track thru the area early tonight.
Convection across southern and Central Indiana associated with this
shortwave to track across the area this evening. Expect widespread
showers with embedded thunder with the best coverage across East
Central Indiana and West Central Ohio.
A second shortwave to track thru the Ohio Valley late tonight into
Thursday morning. This feature will work to enhance coverage of
showers and thunderstorms.
IFR ceilings will prevail through the night with LIFR ceilings and
visibilities. Although it will not be raining for the entire time,
especially with the minor break between shortwaves, visibility
restrictions will continue in mist/fog even when showers are not
occurring. Have shown an improvement to MVFR late in the TAF period
after the second shortwave exits the area.
OUTLOOK...MVFR/IFR conditions will continue into Thursday. MVFR/IFR
conditions will likely return on Saturday.
&&
.ILN WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OH...Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon for OHZ053>056-060>065-
070>074-077>080-082.
Dense Fog Advisory until 5 AM EST Thursday for OHZ026-034-035-
042>044-051-060-061.
KY...Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon for KYZ089>093.
IN...Flood Watch through Thursday afternoon for INZ050-058-059-066-
073>075-080.
Dense Fog Advisory until 5 AM EST Thursday for INZ050-058-059.
&&
DISCUSSION...
AVIATION...ARHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wilmington OH 1118 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026 OHZ026-034-035-042>044-051-060430- Hardin-Mercer-Auglaize-Darke-Shelby-Logan-Miami- 1118 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026 ...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST THURSDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for west central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Dense Fog Advisory. Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms will occur overnight. Some minor flooding is possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Periods of showers and storms will continue on Thursday which could bring an increased chance of flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. KYZ094>100-OHZ045-046-052-081-088-060430- Owen-Grant-Pendleton-Bracken-Robertson-Mason-Lewis-Union-Delaware- Champaign-Adams-Scioto- 1118 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, northern Kentucky, central Ohio, south central Ohio and west central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms will occur overnight. Some minor flooding is possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Periods of showers and storms will continue on Thursday which could bring an increased chance of flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. INZ066-073>075-080-KYZ089>093-OHZ053>056-062>065-070>074-077>080-082- 060430- Franklin-Ripley-Dearborn-Ohio-Switzerland-Carroll-Gallatin-Boone- Kenton-Campbell-Clark-Madison-Licking-Greene-Fayette-Pickaway- Fairfield-Butler-Warren-Clinton-Ross-Hocking-Hamilton-Clermont-Brown- Highland-Pike- 1118 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Indiana, northern Kentucky, central Ohio, south central Ohio, southwest Ohio and west central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. INZ050-058-059-OHZ060-061-060430- Wayne-Fayette-Union-Preble-Montgomery- 1118 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON... ...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST THURSDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Indiana and west central Ohio. .DAY ONE...Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. Dense Fog Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
837 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0824 PM Flood 4 WNW Sunman 39.27N 85.15W
03/04/2026 Ripley IN Emergency Mngr
&&Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
1019 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026
OHZ072-079-080-050345-
Highland OH-Brown OH-Clinton OH-
1019 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT PORTIONS OF NORTHERN BROWN...
SOUTHERN CLINTON AND NORTHWESTERN HIGHLAND COUNTIES THROUGH 1045 PM
EST...
At 1019 PM EST, a strong thunderstorm was located near Lynchburg,
moving east at 45 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and very heavy rain.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Visibility will be poor and hydroplaning
is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hillsboro, Blanchester, Lynchburg, New Vienna, Russell, Martinsville,
Fayetteville, Midland, Highland, St. Martin, Westboro, and
Morrisville.
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building.
Motorists should slow down and use extra caution.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at
weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can
do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3919 8394 3933 8396 3940 8360 3919 8359
TIME...MOT...LOC 0319Z 265DEG 40KT 3926 8388
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
FranksPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
1032 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0928 PM Flood Batesville 39.30N 85.22W
03/04/2026 Ripley IN Emergency Mngr
0930 PM Flood 1 SW Batesville 39.29N 85.23W
03/04/2026 Ripley IN Emergency Mngr
&&Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Wilmington OH 1045 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026 INZ050-058-059-OHZ034-042-050545- Wayne-Fayette-Union-Mercer-Darke- Including the cities of Richmond, Connersville, Liberty, West College Corner, Celina, Coldwater, and Greenville 1045 PM EST Wed Mar 4 2026 ...PATCHY DENSE FOG OVERNIGHT... Patchy dense fog will be present overnight. Use caution and remain alert for rapid changes in visibility if driving overnight.
The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 71 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:12 UTC.
13 flood, 3 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Over a foot of standing water inundated at least eleven cars at a local car dealer and portions of the corner gas station. Several homes also had water over their porches, up to their front doors.
Indian Creek came out of its banks and inundated the basement and first floor of a home near the intersection of Walnut Street and Ross Hanover Road. A swift water rescue was needed to remove the family from the home.
Multiple cars were stranded in high water along Germantown Road, under a railroad crossing.
Several feet of water was reported to be flowing over Warwick Road.
Anderson Road east of State Route 380 was closed due to high water over the road.
High water over the roadway caused Waynesville Jamestown Road to be closed just east of State Route 68.
Armbrust Road near Flakesford Road SW was closed due to high water over the road.
Waterloo Road NW had high water over the roadway between Winchester Road NW and Hill Road.
Leitnaker Road NE between Old Millersport Road NE and State Route 37 had high water over the roadway.
Sugar Creek was out of its banks, resulting in about a foot of water flowing over Bush Road NW.
High water was reported over Port William-Lumberton Road in between Bone Road and Faulkner Road.
High water was reported over Hale's Branch Road between Jonesboro Road and Cochran Road.
West Main Street flooded under the railroad overpass.
State Route 56 had high water reported over the roadway.
State Route 56 had high water over multiple locations including near Creamery Hill Road as well as near Big Pine Road.
High water was reported between Gravel Pit Road and Cummings Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, March 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1311023, 1311024, 1311025, 1311030, 1311031, 1311032, 1311034, 1311038, 1311039, 1321764, 1311045, 1311047, 1311049, 1311050, 1311051, 1311052.