City mobilizes after severe storms cause widespread damage
Columbus officials declared a Mayor’s Emergency Wednesday after powerful storms swept through central Ohio on Tuesday, producing damaging winds, downed trees and utility lines and prompting an intensified citywide response.
Mayor Andrew Ginther said the declaration will help unlock additional resources for first responders, cleanup crews and city officials as they work to restore normal operations and repair infrastructure. The storms were part of a larger system being reviewed by the Storm Prediction Center and are being evaluated as a likely derecho.
“This declaration will help us move quickly to secure the resources needed to do that,” Ginther said, acknowledging the scale of repairs that lie ahead. City leaders emphasized safety, urging residents to avoid downed power lines and damaged sites and to give crews room to work.
“Columbus’ drinking water is safe. Our water system is operating normally.”
The mayor addressed circulating social media concerns about drinking water during a Wednesday news conference, saying Columbus’ water system remains safe and is operating normally.
Storm impacts and response numbers
Officials reported gusts of more than 80 mph in Columbus. The storm produced an overwhelming surge in emergency calls: Columbus firefighters responded to more than 1,100 calls for service on Tuesday, more than twice the typical daily volume. The city’s 311 center also fielded over 1,800 calls related to the storm and its aftermath.
| Metric | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Peak wind reports | More than 80 mph |
| Fire calls Tuesday | 1,100+ |
| 311 center calls | 1,800+ |
Neighborhoods and infrastructure hit hard
South Columbus was singled out by city officials as among the hardest-hit areas. Berliner Sports Park sustained significant damage, including numerous downed power poles and utility lines across the property. Officials said drivers should treat intersections where traffic signals aren’t working as four-way stops as crews work to repair signals and clear debris.
Fire department leadership said every unit in the Columbus Division of Fire was placed into service to respond to calls across the city — a deployment officials said had never happened before in the division’s history. That extraordinary mobilization reflects the storm’s intensity and breadth.
Safety guidance and recovery priorities
City officials reiterated standard safety precautions as cleanup continues:
- Stay away from downed power lines and report them to utilities.
- Give utility workers, first responders and city crews room to operate.
- Treat nonworking traffic signals as four-way stops until repaired.
- Report storm damage and requests for assistance through official city channels rather than social media.
Mayor Ginther and emergency teams said the declaration was intended to speed access to state and federal resources if needed and to coordinate the city’s response while repairs are prioritized. Officials did not provide a timeline for full restoration of power and infrastructure, but warned that for some residents “it may be some time before things feel back to normal.”
As cleanup progresses, city leaders urged patience and cooperation with crews working in neighborhoods across Columbus. They said the safety of residents and workers remains the top priority as the city assesses damage and plans next steps in recovery.
WE NEWS will continue tracking official updates from the city and emergency services as crews clear debris, restore utilities and evaluate the storm’s full impact.
