Update: The Tornado Warning for southern Richland County has been cancelled.
The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a Tornado Warning for southern Richland County until 3 p.m. A tornado watch is in effect until 9 p.m. tonight. A severe thunderstorm warning has also been issued for Ashland County in North Central Ohio and Eastern Richland County in North Central Ohio until 3:15 p.m. on Thursday.
At 2:09 p.m. on Thursday the National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 MPH. This storm was located six miles southeast of Bellville and moving north at 30 MPH. Locations impacted include Mansfield, Ashland, Loundonville, Hayesville, Polk and Savannah.
This is a dangerous storm. Seek shelter inside now and stay away from windows.
A tornado watch accompanies the severe thunderstorm warning until 9 p.m. for most Ohio counties, including Richland, Ashland and Crawford counties. If a tornado is spotted, act quickly and move to a place of safety in a sturdy structure such as a basement or small interior room.
In addition, a flood watch is in effect through Friday morning for portions of Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania including Ashland and Richland counties.
A cold front was over Eastern Ohio today. A low-pressure area will move along the front tonight and Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms will occur with this system through tonight and become more showery Thursday into Thursday night. Rain will be locally heavy and with the ground saturated over a large part of the flood watch area. Some flooding is likely.
The ground is very saturated from rain over the last few days. This frontal system and low will cause an additional one to locally three inches of rain through Thursday night. Flooding of some roads, streams, creeks and rivers will be likely.
A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. Residents should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov for more information.