5 a.m. Thursday: From Cincinnati.com media partner Fox19Now

Severe storms and at least two radar-confirmed tornadoes tore through the Tri-State overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

Large trees also fell on at least two homes in Loveland and Erlanger, where one person was rescued, according to fire crews. In general, trees and wires are down all over the region, county dispatchers say.

The NWS in Wilmington confirms a radar-confirmed tornado touched down in northern Brown County and went into southeast Clinton County near the village of Lynchburg in Highland County.

Another one hit in northeastern Clinton County near Sabina before moving into Fayette County, according to meteorologist Christine Aiena.

These radar-confirmed tornadoes are not declared “official” tornadoes until the NWS surveys damage on the scene later Thursday to determine whether it is from tornadoes or straight-line winds.

Highland County dispatchers confirm the Lynchburg area has “a lot of damage.”

They said around 2:30 a.m. they were “slammed” with calls requesting emergency service or reporting storm damage such as wires and trees down.

“It will be a task trying to sift through everything trying to figure what is straight-line winds and what was tornadic,” Aiena said.

More than 45,000 Duke Energy customers are without power in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, mostly in Clermont County (12,893) followed by Hamilton County (9,957) and then Campbell County (9,677).

It’s unclear when power will be restored, according to the utility’s website.

Final Wednesday update, 12 a.m.: Eastward-moving thunderstorms arrived in the Cincinnati area late Wednesday and are expected to last overnight into early Thursday morning.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a tornado watch for virtually all of Greater Cincinnati, which includes Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. The watch is set to expire at 4 a.m. Thursday.

Additionally, a flood watch is in effect until 8 a.m. Sunday. The weather service says soils remain moist and excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

Some tornado warnings have been issued north of Cincinnati, near the Dayton area.

After the severe storms move through the region, they will continue east, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Ashley Novak. Residual thunderstorms and showers are likely and will taper off by roughly 6 a.m., she added.

Previous coverage: A tornado watch is in effect for the Greater Cincinnati area Wednesday night.

At approximately 9:15 p.m., the National Weather Service placed multiple Ohio counties under a tornado watch until 4 a.m. Thursday.

This includes counties in Greater Cincinnati such as Hamilton County, Butler County, Warren County and Clermont County. The tornado watch is also in effect for Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky and Dearborn, Ripley, Ohio and Switzerland counties in Southeast Indiana, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

What is the difference between a tornado watch and warning?

A tornado watch means weather conditions are favorable for a tornado, said meteorologist Ashley Novak. Watches are typically issued hours before a tornado warning. Warnings are issued when a tornado is imminent or occurring.

When a watch is issued, the National Weather Service urges people to prepare for the possibility of a tornado.

What is the forecast for Cincinnati weather tonight?

Severe storms are expected to hit the Greater Cincinnati region around 1 a.m. and last for roughly one hour, Novak said.

Heavy downpours and thunderstorms are expected. There is also potential for damaging winds, a tornado and some hail.

“Keep precautions in mind, heed any warning,” Novak said. If winds are severe, the National Weather Service urges people to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.

After the severe storms move through the region, they will continue east, Novak said. Residual thunderstorms and showers are likely and will taper off by roughly 6 a.m., she said.

The region will see dry conditions before more rain. Storms and showers are possible after 2 p.m. Thursday and into the evening. They are especially likely Thursday night.

Kentucky Gov. Beshear declares state of emergency

Gov. Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency ahead of anticipated severe storms Wednesday, and said in a statement he is especially concerned about the high risk for tornadoes in west Kentucky.

The executive order signed by the governor allows officials to coordinate an emergency response plan from the Kentucky Emergency Operations Center and mobilize the Kentucky National Guard, among other actions.

While much of the Louisville area is at a moderate risk for severe weather, the fourth-highest of five categories issued by the National Weather Service, west Kentucky, including Paducah, is in the highest risk level.

“Remember, these can be strong tornadoes, EF-2 and greater,” Beshear said. “We’re really concerned about people’s safety, especially in the overnight, because when storms or tornadoes hit while people are asleep, that’s sadly when we’ve lost the most people. So, everybody out there, be really careful.”

Beshear also activated the state’s price gouging laws. Consumers are advised to report price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General.

–Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier-Journal

How to prepare for nighttime tornadoes

As severe storms, and possibly even a tornado or two, rip their way through Greater Cincinnati this late evening, the National Weather Service encourages residents to prepare for emergency situations.

In the event of nighttime tornadoes, the weather service highly recommends having multiple ways to receive weather alerts. The National Weather Service in Wilmington regularly posts updates to their X account, and the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency has their own alert system you can sign up for, as does the city of Cincinnati. An NOAA weather radio is also good way to listen for updates.

Residents should also have a safe place prepared ahead of time. Phones should always be turned on and charged, and flashlights and shoes should be handy.

If you need to shelter from a tornado, the weather service says to move to your house’s basement and bring an emergency supply kit. If there’s no basement, move to an interior room with no windows. Top-floor rooms, exterior rooms with windows and going outside does not protect you from a tornado, the weather service adds.

Forecast: Severe weather risk increased for parts of Greater Cincinnati, NKY. Here’s what to expect