Highland County, Ohio Emergency Management Agency

09/01/2026

Team Rubicon wrapped up two weeks of storm recovery work here in Highland County this past Monday, and none of it would have been possible without an incredible network of partners who showed up to support the mission.

Huge thanks to Fayette County Emergency Management Agency, Clinton Co. Emergency Management Agency, and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency for their coordination and support throughout the response. Thank you to Paint Creek Joint EMS & Fire District and Highland County Health Department for their partnership on the ground.

We're also grateful to the local businesses and organizations who fed and encouraged the Team Rubicon volunteers during their stay: Papa John's, Holtfield Station, Atomic Credit Union, First State Bank, Chuck Wait Tire, and the Highland County Chamber of Commerce.

And to the faith communities who opened their doors, provided a place to stay, and helped keep our volunteers fed — Hillsboro Church of Christ, Mowrystown Church of Christ, Hillsboro House of Deliverance COGOP, Mowrystown Presbyterian, Faithful Threads Bible Study, YWC Church of God Mountain Assembly, and St. Thomas Aquinas — thank you for your hospitality, lodging, meals, and support.

This kind of recovery takes a village, and Highland County showed up for its neighbors. Thank you to everyone who played a part in bringing Team Rubicon here and supporting them while they served our community. 🧡

09/01/2026

September is National Preparedness Month!

This year's theme, set by FEMA's Ready Campaign, is "Americans Stand Ready." All month long, Highland County, Ohio Emergency Management Agency & Highland County Health Department will be sharing simple, practical steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and our community when disaster strikes.

Being prepared isn't about fear — it's about taking small, manageable actions now so you're ready for whatever comes your way. Follow along each week as we cover:

📋 Making a plan
📢 Staying in the know
🎒 Building a kit
🤝 Getting involved in our community

Let's stand ready together, Highland County.

09/01/2026

Storms may develop into the area Thursday afternoon and evening. At this point in time, it is highly uncertain if that will occur. But if it does, conditions will be favorable for some strong to severe storms.

09/01/2026

Hot temperatures and high heat indices will occur for the next three days as strong upper level high pressure spreads over the area. The heat will ease late in the week as a cold front sags southwards.

08/22/2026

⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 22 at 3:39PM EDT until August 22 at 4:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

SUMMARY:
--------
SVRILN

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Pike County in south central Ohio...
East central Highland County in south central Ohio...

* Until 400 PM EDT.

* At 339 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Marshall,
moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind
damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...
Kincaid Springs, Pike Lake, Cynthiana, Elm Grove, Idaho, and
Buchanan.

AFFECTS: Highland, OH; Pike, OH

INSTRUCTION: For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

To report severe weather, go to our website at weather.gov/iln and
submit your report via social media, when you can do so safely.

URL TO CAMPAIGN DETAILS (WITH UP-TO-DATE WEATHER ALERT DETAILS):
https://hrpow.us/exQPVWN

URGENCY: Immediate

SEVERITY: Severe

CERTAINTY: Observed

EFFECTIVE DATE: 8/22/26 3:39 PM EST

EXPIRATION DATE: 8/22/26 4:00 PM EST

FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------
SVRILN

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Pike County in south central Ohio...
East central Highland County in south central Ohio...

* Until 400 PM EDT.

* At 339 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Marshall,
moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vehicles is possible. Expect wind
damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...
Kincaid Springs, Pike Lake, Cynthiana, Elm Grove, Idaho, and
Buchanan.

See the full message w/ attachments at:
https://hrpow.us/exQPVWN

08/22/2026

⚠️ THIS ALERT IS NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER ALERT ⚠️

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 22 at 3:20PM EDT until August 22 at 3:45PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

SUMMARY:
--------
SVRILN

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Pike County in south central Ohio...
Northeastern Highland County in south central Ohio...
Southwestern Ross County in south central Ohio...

* Until 345 PM EDT.

* At 320 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Rocky Fork
Point, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...
Chillicothe, Waverly, Marshall, Bainbridge, Pike Lake, Rocky Fork
Point, Cynthiana, Highland Holiday, North Folk Village, South
Salem, Rocky Fork Lake, Bourneville, Rainsboro, Lattaville,
Buchanan, Paint Creek State Park, Summithill, Knockemstiff, Lake
White, and Highland County Airport.

AFFECTS: Highland, OH; Pike, OH; Ross, OH

INSTRUCTION: For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

To report severe weather, go to our website at weather.gov/iln and
submit your report via social media, when you can do so safely.

URL TO CAMPAIGN DETAILS (WITH UP-TO-DATE WEATHER ALERT DETAILS):
https://hrpow.us/OCSSZlf

URGENCY: Immediate

SEVERITY: Severe

CERTAINTY: Observed

EFFECTIVE DATE: 8/22/26 3:20 PM EST

EXPIRATION DATE: 8/22/26 3:45 PM EST

FULL ALERT TEXT:
----------------
SVRILN

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Pike County in south central Ohio...
Northeastern Highland County in south central Ohio...
Southwestern Ross County in south central Ohio...

* Until 345 PM EDT.

* At 320 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Rocky Fork
Point, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...
Chillicothe, Waverly, Marshall, Bainbridge, Pike Lake, Rocky Fork
Point, Cynthiana, Highland Holiday, North Folk Village, South
Salem, Rocky Fork Lake, Bourneville, Rainsboro, Lattaville,
Buchanan, Paint Creek State Park, Summithill, Knockemstiff, Lake
White, and Highland County Airport.

See the full message w/ attachments at:
https://hrpow.us/OCSSZlf

08/22/2026

This afternoon- Saturday, August 22, Fayette County First Responders will be actively participating in a full-scale exercise at McDonald & Son Feeds on Inskeep Road. Vehicles will stage at Miami Trace Elementary School for this exercise. This is NOT real. It is realistic training that helps better prepare our County for emergency responses. Please avoid the area to allow responders to train.

08/22/2026

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
639 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026
..NWS Damage Survey for August 11 2026 Event...

EF0 tornado confirmed northwest of Buford in Brown County OH and
Highland County OH.

Rating: EF0
Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph
Path Length /statute/: 3.6 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 200 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0

Start Date: 08/11/2026
Start Time: 3:59 PM EDT
Start Location: 4 SE Fayetteville / Brown County / OH
Start Lat/Lon: 39.1249 / -83.8935

End Date: 08/11/2026
End Time: 4:04 PM EDT
End Location: 5 NE Mount Orab / Highland County / OH
End Lat/Lon: 39.0835 / -83.8530

Survey Summary:
The National Weather Service in Wilmington Ohio has confirmed an
EF0 tornado northwest of Buford in Brown and Highland counties in
Ohio.

This tornado began in the area of Thery Road and Upper Five
Mile Road in Brown County, where some tree damage was observed.
As the tornado moved southeast, a barn was significantly damaged
on Dietrick Road, along with some additional tree damage. The
tornado then entered Highland County, producing tree damage in
various places along Beltz Road. A house on the east side of
Beltz Road had some shingles removed. Near the end of the
tornado's path, a stand of trees was snapped on Beltz Road just
north of Waits Road.

Scattered straight-line wind damage, generally damage to trees,
was also observed around the edges of the track of the tornado.

The National Weather Service would like to thank the Brown County
and Highland County Emergency Management Agencies for their
assistance and coordination.

08/22/2026

08/22/2026

Severe storms will be possible this afternoon, mainly between 1pm and 8pm. Damaging winds and large hail are the primary threats.