The Clinton County Emergency Management Agency is asking residents to maintain severe-weather readiness through autumn, noting that Ohio can experience a secondary tornado period in October and November. The agency says those months can produce fast-moving storms, damaging straight-line winds, tornadoes and widespread electric outages, even though spring and early summer remain the state's busiest severe-weather months.
The article cites National Weather Service and NOAA records indicating severe weather is possible year-round. From 1950 through 2025, Ohio recorded 112 autumn tornadoes, including 53 in October and 59 in November. It also says 2024 was Ohio's most active tornado year on record, with 74 confirmed touchdowns.
A study by the National Weather Service's Wilmington forecast office examined tornadoes in southwest Ohio, southeast Indiana and northern Kentucky from 1950 to 2004. It found slightly more than half occurred between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., with another notable peak in November. Officials said tornadoes can strike at any time, including overnight.
Clinton County has experienced late-season severe weather. An EF0 tornado touched down south of Sabina on Oct. 26, 2010, and traveled northeast for about 4 miles, according to the article. Even without a tornado, autumn storms can bring gusts that fell trees, damage power lines and cause outages.
The EMA recommends that households review shelter plans, inspect emergency kits for at least three days of nonperishable food, water, prescription medications, flashlights and basic supplies, and set up multiple ways to receive warnings, including a battery-backed NOAA Weather Radio for overnight alerts. It also advises charging backup phone batteries, securing outdoor patio furniture and preparing for extended power disruptions. More information is available at cc-ema.org.