Just after 10 p.m., the weather service upped the watch to a warning for the southeastern Indiana counties of Dearborn, Ripley and Franklin until 10:45 p.m. Radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Otter Village, moving northeast at 60 mph.
The storm also is capable of producing "destructive straight line winds," according to the weather service. A strong line of thunderstorms will affect southeastern Butler and northern Warren counties until 12:15 a.m.
A severe thunderstorm watch issued for Warren County has expired.
Water ponding on and covering some roads prompted a flood advisory for Warren, Butler and Clinton counties, as well as Wayne County in Indiana, until 12:30 a.m., according to the weather service.
The line of storms were predicted to bring gusts up to 50 mph to the area as a cold front arrives. The strongest storms could set up across Warren and Butler counties, Storm Center 7 Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs said.
More than 5,000 homes and businesses were reportedly without power at the height of the storm. According to Duke and Dayton Power & Light, the outages were being reported in the following locations at about 12:30 a.m.:
- 3 in Warren County;
- 3 in Butler County;
- 561 in Clermont County;
- 1 in Clinton County
Storms were expected to exit the region by around 11 Thursday night.
In addition to the threat of damaging winds, the potential for minor flooding will remain as some spots saw heavier pockets of rain with the system.
Highs for Thursday reached the low to mid-60s. But cold air expected to build behind Thursday night's system could turn any remaining moisture into light snow.
Gusts will subside once the front moves through, but sustained winds between 15 to 25 mph will remain.
Friday will start with clouds. Some sun should work in as temperatures rise into the low 40s in the afternoon.
Saturday will start off sunny, but clouds will work in ahead of a weak system that will bring the chance for a few, light rain or snow showers in the evening. Highs will be in the low to mid-40s.
Sunday will be partly sunny and colder with highs in the mid 30s.
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