70 MPH Wind Gusts Recorded During Recent Storm in Central Ohio

National Weather Service reports highest recorded wind speed was 71 mph at the OSU airport.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:34pm

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The National Weather Service has reported that the highest recorded wind gust during the March 13 windstorm in central Ohio was 71 mph at the OSU airport. The storm knocked out power for over 100,000 customers across the state, with at least 700 Franklin County AEP customers remaining without power through the weekend.

Why it matters

Powerful wind storms can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure, as well as pose safety risks to residents. Understanding the severity of these weather events is important for emergency preparedness and response efforts in the local community.

The details

According to the National Weather Service, the 71 mph wind gust was recorded just after 4 p.m. on March 13 at the OSU airport. The NWS noted that the wind speeds were collected from a variety of sources with varying equipment and exposures, including volunteer weather observers. The highest wind speed recorded in the Wilmington forecast area, which includes parts of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, was 77 mph at the Dayton International Airport.

  • The highest wind gust of 71 mph was recorded just after 4 p.m. on March 13.
  • At the height of the March 13 windstorm, 258,000 AEP customers were without power in Ohio.
  • At least 700 Franklin County AEP customers remained without power through the weekend.

The players

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data and forecasts for the United States.

AEP

American Electric Power (AEP) is one of the largest electric utility companies in the United States, serving customers in Ohio and several other states.

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The takeaway

This powerful windstorm highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and infrastructure resilience in central Ohio communities, as extreme weather events can have significant impacts on power grids, transportation, and public safety.