Ohio emergency management officials are sounding the alarm ahead of another round of dangerous storms expected Tuesday, warning that residents could be caught off guard by rapidly developing flash floods — just days after deadly flooding devastated the Greater Cincinnati area.
State officials say flash flooding remains one of the most life-threatening hazards when heavy rain moves in fast — and many people dangerously underestimate how quickly conditions can turn fatal.
“The dangers of flash flooding and heavy rains — it develops quickly and sometimes in just minutes and it catches people off guard. Water can be much deeper than it seems and it can move much faster than it appears,” said Sandy Mackey, public affairs chief with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
What you need to do before storms hit
Officials are urging residents to act before storms arrive Tuesday. Mackey recommended trimming loose branches near the home, securing outdoor items that could become projectiles in high winds, and — critically — ensuring every household has a reliable way to receive weather warnings, especially overnight when storms often strike without warning.
Watch vs. warning — do you know the difference?
Mackey stressed that many residents do not understand the key difference between a weather watch and a warning — a gap in knowledge that can cost lives.
“A watch means be prepared and a warning — that is your call to action. That means take action immediately if you hear that warning,” Mackey said.
Warning fatigue putting lives at risk
Officials also flagged a growing concern: residents who hear frequent alerts are increasingly tuning them out — a dangerous habit officials say they cannot afford.
“A lot of people hear them so often they don’t take them seriously — and they need to, because the warnings are issued by the National Weather Service and they are alerting you because dangerous conditions are about to occur,” Mackey warned.
Anyone who experiences storm damage is urged to contact their local emergency management agency immediately for assistance and resources.