CINCINNATI, OH – A destructive overnight storm system unleashed radar-confirmed tornadoes and severe flash flooding across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky early Thursday, June 18, triggering widespread power outages and major highway closures.
Midnight Tornadoes Confirmed
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Wilmington confirmed that multiple tornadoes touched down after midnight. The twisters struck heavily populated areas in Northern Kentucky, including Florence, Erlanger, and Burlington.
Another tornado was confirmed around 4:15 a.m. in the Piketon, Beaver, and Stockdale areas of Ohio. Additionally, the Dearborn County Emergency Management Agency reported that a tornado “likely” touched down in Indiana shortly after midnight.
Major Highway Closures And Traffic Gridlock
As daylight broke, the primary concern shifted to dangerous flash flooding that completely submerged local thoroughfares:
- I-75 North: Closed just past the Brent Spence Bridge due to high water. Traffic is backed up heavily into Kenton County.
- US-50 / SR-264 West: All lanes are completely closed at the I-71 junction due to deep floodwaters.
- Columbia Parkway: Closed in both directions at Meadowlark Lane in Fairfax due to uprooted trees blocking the roadway.
While Cincinnati Police temporarily shut down I-75 North between I-74 and Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway, traffic slowly began moving again just before 5:00 a.m.
Massive Power Outages
The severe winds and falling trees have knocked out infrastructure across the region. Duke Energy reported that more than 11,000 customers are currently without power.
The hardest-hit areas for outages include Boone County (especially Florence), the Westwood neighborhood in Hamilton County, and parts of Clermont County west of Batavia.
Ongoing Safety Alerts
A Tornado Watch remains active for portions of the region, and drivers are being strictly urged to avoid flooded roadways. Authorities reiterate the golden rule of flood safety: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
