Erin Couch,Quinlan Bentley,Bebe Hodges,Aaron ValdezCincinnati Enquirer
(This file is no longer being updated. Please check here for the latest news)
Update 7:30 p.m.: The North College Hill Police Department announced in a Facebook post around 6 p.m. that it is currently without power and its non-emergency line is down.
"If you need police assistance, please call Hamilton County Communications Center 513-825-2280," the post reads.
It is unknown when power will be restored.
Additionally, police said all officers are out at the moment working with public works and the fire department to ensure the roadways are clear of wires and trees.
If anyone knows of any downed wires or tress, police ask that you leave a comment on the post with the exact address of the incident.
The Wyoming Police Department, Wyoming Fire & EMS Department and Wyoming Public Works Department are working to clear roadways in the city Friday evening, according to a Facebook post from the official Wyoming Facebook page.
Wyoming citizens should report fallen trees to the non-emergency police line at 513-821-0141, according to the post. Citizens are also advised to not touch the tree in the event downed power lines are present.
To report a power outage or other situation involving Duke Energy's equipment, call 800-228-8485, the post adds.
Update, 6:40 p.m.: Flooding has hit the Greater Cincinnati area Friday evening amid the remnants of Hurricane Helene, according to the National Weather Service.
"The wind is decreasing, but the rain continues," the Wilmington office wrote in a tweet around 6 p.m., "Many areas are reporting flooding and flash flooding."
The National Weather Service also advised drivers to avoid flood waters and to not drive around barricades.
More than 100,000 customers are currently without power in Greater Cincinnati, according to Duke Energy.
Update, 4:40 p.m.: Wyoming City Schools has canceled its high school's homecoming parade because of inclement weather stemming from Hurricane Helene.
The parade was set to begin at 6 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. football game. While the game is still on, officials said it could be delayed by lightning, thunder or power outage. Officials said parade floats will be displayed outside the stadium's main gate during the game.
More than 100,000 customers are currently without power in Greater Cincinnati, according to Duke Energy.
Update, 4:20 p.m.: A Lakota Local Schools bus is back en route after a tree fell on it while also knocking down power lines in West Chester Township, officials reported.
The incident was reported just before 4 p.m. and officials said kids would be kept on the bus until Duke Energy crews arrived. Officials reported at 4:13 p.m. that the bus was back on its normal route and no injuries were reported.
Forecasters have warned that strong winds from the remnants of Hurricane Helene will blow down trees and power lines. The Ohio Department of Transportation's real-time traffic map showed numerous lane closures in southwest Ohio due to fallen tree branches in the roadways.
Duke Energy is reporting nearly 87,000 customers without power in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.
Update, 3:47 p.m.: Greater Cincinnati is currently experiencing the worst expected conditions stemming from the remnants of Hurricane Helene, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio.
"Power outages and damaging winds will continue. If you can do so safely, please report wind damage or flooding," the weather service said on X, formerly Twitter. "We still expect winds to quickly decrease from east to west during the evening hours."
Duke Energy's online outage map showed more than 66,000 customers without power in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Close to half of those customers were located in Hamilton County.
Update, 3:25 p.m.: Tens of thousands of customers in Greater Cincinnati are without power as strong winds sweep the region.
Duke Energy's online outage map showed more than 38,000 customers without power in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.
Many of those outages were located in Hamilton County, with more than 17,000 customers experiencing outages. Clermont and Brown counties in Ohio also had thousands of customers lose power, along with Kenton, Boone and Campbell counties in Kentucky.
Update, 2:40 p.m.: The National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio, has recorded wind gusts of 54 mph at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
The remnants of Hurricane Helene have brought windy and rainy conditions to Greater Cincinnati. Winds will be strong Friday afternoon, though the strongest winds will decrease quickly from southeast to northwest heading into the early evening, the weather service said.
Forecasters have said to expect east winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. Impacts include blown-down trees and power lines, leading to widespread power outages.
Update, 2:27 p.m.: The remnants of Hurricane Helene, expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rain to the Cincinnati area, have impacted local sporting events and forced some attractions to close.
The weather has already affected Friday's high school football slate, with several games being postponed until Saturday. Live updates on schedule changes and cancellations around Greater Cincinnati can be found here.
High winds and rain hit Greater Cincinnati
Remnants of Hurricane Helene are moving into the region Friday and are expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rain.
According to Enquirer media partner Fox19, numerous Cincinnati-area schools closed or announced early dismissal times due to inclement weather, including:
- Augusta Independent Schools-Closed Friday
- Bracken County Schools-Closed Friday
- Calvary Christian Sch/TaylorMill-Closing at 1 p.m.
- Carroll County Schools-Closed Friday
- Covington Indpt Public Schools-Closing at 1 p.m.
- Gallatin County Schools-Closed Friday
- Grant County Schools-Closed Friday
- Henry Co Schools-Closed Friday
- Heritage Academy-Closing at 12:30 p.m.
- Kenton County Schools-Two hour early dismissal. All evening activities are canceled
- Mason County Schools-Closed Friday, NTI day 1
- Pendleton County Schools-NT1I Day #1
- Robertson Co Schools-Closed Friday, NT1 Day #1
- Southwest Local Schools-Football at Campbell County; Postponed to Saturday at 11 a.m.
- St Pius/Northern Ky-Closed at 11:55 a.m.
- Switzerland County-Closed
- Williamstown Independent Schools-Closed at 12:15 p.m. due to weather
Kings Islandis also closed Friday evening due to weather concerns. The Mason amusement park said its decision to close is "out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our guests and associates," citing the National Weather Service's hazardous weather forecast ofhigh winds and rain Friday evening.
Previous reporting: A high wind warning is in effect in the Cincinnati area as remnants of Hurricane Helene move toward Ohio.
The National Weather Service at Wilmington issued the warning Friday morning for most counties in southwest Ohio, spanning from Cincinnati to Dayton. In the Cincinnati area, the warning has been issued for Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio, as well as Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky.
The warning is in effect until 10 p.m. High winds are coupled with heavy rainfall.
In addition to rain, forecasters expect gusts of up to 60 mph in the areas under the warning. The strongest winds are expected between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Between 1 and 2 inches of precipitation is possible on Friday, according to the weather service.
This report will be updated.
