Flash flood warnings and tornado threats covered Hamilton County on Tuesday, triggering emergency alerts for Anderson Township, Mariemont, Terrace Park and Newtown residents.
No damage, injuries or emergency calls specific to Anderson Township, Mariemont, Terrace Park or Newtown had been confirmed as of Tuesday evening. Anderson Township Fire & Rescue and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office District 5, which patrols the township, had not reported storm-related incidents.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Hamilton County and six surrounding counties as storms intensified between noon and 5 p.m., according to FOX19 coverage updated throughout the event. Damaging straight-line winds posed the greatest danger. Large hail capable of damaging vehicles, flash flooding in low-lying areas and possible tornadoes rounded out the threat.
NWS Meteorologist Julie Dian-Reed had warned the day before that Tuesday's storms could be severe. "We could have clustering storms again, so I wouldn't be surprised if there are some flood issues," Dian-Reed told WVXU on Monday, July 20, while previewing the week's weather. She said damaging wind was expected to be the main concern.
The ground was already saturated from storms on Friday that dumped up to five inches of rain on parts of Cincinnati and neighboring communities. The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati received more than 900 reports of sewer backups and basement flooding from that earlier event, according to WVXU.
Confirmed damage occurred in neighboring counties. Tornado warnings were issued for Clermont County and parts of northern Kentucky. In Clermont County, which borders Anderson Township to the east, a tree fell onto a home during the warning, forcing resident Denise Davis and her grandchildren to shelter under basement stairs, she told CNN affiliate WKRC. A tornado touched down in Owen County, Kentucky, damaging multiple buildings, according to Newsweek.
Storms weakened after 5 p.m. Tuesday and cleared the area by Wednesday morning.
Emergency contacts and resources
Hamilton County Emergency Management urges all residents to register for Alert HC, the county's free emergency notification system that delivers alerts by text, email, or phone call. Residents can also follow HCEMA on X (@HCEMA), Facebook (@hamilton.countyema), or Instagram (@hc_ema).
- Emergencies: 911
- Non-emergency dispatch (Hamilton County Sheriff): (513) 825-2280
- Anderson Township Fire & Rescue: (513) 688-8400
- Sheriff's District 5 substation (7954 Beechmont Ave., Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.): (513) 474-5770
Residents who experienced storm damage or downed trees on public roadways can report conditions through the non-emergency dispatch line.
