More than 12,000 Duke Energy customers are still without power around Cincinnati after storms swept through the region Monday, and as dangerously high heat and humidity continue Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning, in effect until 8 p.m.Heat index values up to 107 are possible. The extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for people working outside or participating in outdoor activities.
More:How to recognize heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses and what to do about them
Portions of East Central and Southeast Indiana, Northeast and Northern Kentucky and Central, South Central, Southwest and West Central are under the excessive heat warning.
On Thursday, there is potential for heat index values around 100 and scattered thunderstorms, some of which may contain damaging winds and large hail.
Cincinnati recorded a record-breaking minimum warm temperature Tuesday, with a low of 75. That broke the previous record of 73 in 2015.
Air quality alert in Cincinnati
The Southwest Ohio Air agency issued an air quality advisory for these areas until midnight tonight:
- Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties in Ohio;
- Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky;
- Dearborn County in Indiana.
Levels of ozone in the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range is expected.
On days with air quality advisories, people are encouraged to take action to help reduce ozone formation by taking the bus, carpooling, biking or walking instead of driving. The Southwest Ohio Air Agency also recommends refueling vehicles after 8 p.m., not to top-off while refueling and tightening the gas cap, not idling vehicles and avoiding using gasoline-powered lawn equipment.
How many power outages are there still around Cincinnati?
According to the Duke Energy Outage Map, most of the remaining 12,000 power outages are on the Ohio side of Greater Cincinnati.
The estimated times of restoration on the outage map reflects the latest date and time Duke Energy expects to have power restored in that area, and most customers will be restored before then, according to a message from the utility company.
More specific estimates will be provided as Duke Energy completes its damage assessment.
Detailed Cincinnati forecast
Wednesday: Patchy fog before 9 a.m., then sunny, with a high near 96 and heat index values as high as 106. Tonight, mostly clear with a low around 76.
Thursday: A high near 95 with heat index values as high as 102 and showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Thursday night, partly cloudy with a low around 71 and showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 3 a.m.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89 and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon. Friday night, mostly clear with a low around 63.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Sunday (Juneteenth and Father's Day): Mostly sunny, with a high near 84.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Tuesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
Source: National Weather Service, Wilmington.
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