Ohio Special Weather Statement | Effective 05/18/2026 14:03

At 503 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over Cridersville, moving northeast at 45 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 45 mph, half inch hail, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, and very heavy rain. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Hail may cause minor damage to vegetation. Lightning can cause serious injury or death. Visibility will be poor and hydroplaning is possible. Locations impacted include... Wapakoneta, Ada, Fort Shawnee, Cridersville, Forest, Dunkirk, Alger, Waynesfield, Moulton, Blanchard, Mcguffey, Buckland, Uniopolis, Dola, Fryburg, Kossuth, Huntersville, St. Johns, Walton, and State Route 116 at State Route 197. This includes I-75 in Ohio between mile markers 106 and 118. If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a sturdy building. Motorists should slow down and use extra caution. When thunder roars, go indoors! Do not stay in the open or seek shelter under trees when lightning threatens. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 600 PM EDT for west central Ohio. 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.