Allen County EMA

09/02/2026

☀️ EXTREME HEAT: STAY HYDRATED! 💧

If you’re working or spending time outdoors during this heat wave, don’t wait until you feel thirsty to start drinking water.

💧 Drink about 8 ounces (1 cup) of water every 15–20 minutes while working in the heat.

That can add up to 24–32 ounces per hour during prolonged outdoor activity.

A few reminders:
• Drink water regularly — thirst is not always an early warning sign.
• Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
• If you’re sweating heavily for several hours, consider adding an electrolyte drink.
• Avoid excessive alcohol and sugary drinks when you're trying to stay hydrated.
• Keep an eye on coworkers, family members, and neighbors.

⚠️ Know the warning signs of heat illness: headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, unusual fatigue, confusion, or fainting.

If you have to be outside, hydrate early, hydrate often, and take breaks from the heat.

09/01/2026

07/26/2026

⛈️ Severe Weather Possible Tonight Through Monday Night

The Storm Prediction Center has placed Allen County under a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe thunderstorms from late tonight through Monday night.

🌙 Tonight into Early Monday

🕚 Timing: 11:00 PM Sunday – 7:00 AM Monday

Main Threats:
💨 Damaging wind gusts
🧊 Isolated large hail

🌤️ Monday Afternoon through Monday Night

🕑 Timing: 2:00 PM Monday – 2:00 AM Tuesday

Main Threats:
💨 Damaging wind gusts
🌪️ A brief tornado or two cannot be ruled out.

Now is the time to prepare:
✅ Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, especially while you are sleeping tonight.
✅ Know where you would take shelter if a warning is issued.
✅ Secure loose outdoor items before storms arrive.

📱 Sign up for Alerts Allen County to receive emergency notifications directly to your phone by visiting:

Allen-EMA.com

We'll continue to monitor the forecast and provide updates if conditions change. Stay weather aware and be prepared to act if warnings are issued.

07/18/2026

⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Risk This Evening ⚠️

Allen County is under a Level 2 (Slight Risk) for severe thunderstorms today.

⏰ Greatest concern: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

💨 Primary threat: Damaging wind gusts

While not everyone will experience severe weather, any storm that becomes severe could produce damaging winds capable of bringing down trees and power lines. Heavy rainfall and frequent lightning are also possible.

Now is the time to prepare:

✅ Have multiple ways to receive weather warnings—don’t rely solely on outdoor warning sirens.

✅ Secure loose outdoor furniture, trash cans, and other outdoor items that could become airborne in strong winds.

✅ If thunder roars, go indoors immediately.

📱 Sign up for Alerts Allen County by visiting Allen-EMA.com⁠ and selecting Alerts Allen County. Emergency alerts can be delivered directly to your phone so you receive important information when severe weather threatens. (allen-ema.com⁠)

We’ll continue to monitor conditions throughout the day and provide updates as needed. Stay weather aware, stay prepared, and stay safe.

07/17/2026

🌫️⛈️ ALLEN COUNTY WEATHER UPDATE – WILDFIRE SMOKE & THUNDERSTORM THREATS

Allen County is facing two weather concerns over the next 48 hours: wildfire smoke and the potential for thunderstorms.

🌫️ Wildfire Smoke
A warm front will help push much of the wildfire smoke out of the area through this evening, providing at least a temporary improvement in air quality. However, smoke may linger in some locations until the front moves through.

If you are sensitive to smoke, continue to monitor conditions and limit prolonged outdoor activity if air quality worsens.

⛈️ Friday
Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected through this evening. While severe weather is not the primary concern today, storms will be capable of producing:
• Frequent lightning
• Heavy rainfall
• Locally gusty winds

⛈️ Saturday
Attention now turns to Saturday afternoon and evening, when a cold front will move through the region. The entire area is in a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe thunderstorms.

Potential hazards include:
• 💨 Damaging wind gusts
• 🧊 Isolated large hail
• 🌧️ Heavy rainfall and localized flooding

Now is a good time to review your severe weather plans and make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.

07/17/2026

From our partners at Allen County Public Health

07/17/2026

OZONE ADVISORY!
An OZONE ADVISORY has been issued for
ALLEN COUNTY, OHIO
For July 17, 2026
Alert Period: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

During the OZONE ADVISORY, citizens are encouraged to take the following voluntary actions to help reduce ozone production:

• Ride to work or school with a friend
• Walk or ride your bike on shorter trips
• Park your vehicle in shaded areas
• Delay mowing your lawn until after the alert period
• Fuel up vehicles in early morning or after 6:00 p.m.
• Avoid cooking out over charcoal during the alert period

Ozone Advisory are issued jointly by the Allen County Health Department and the Allen County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

07/17/2026

Chief Meteorologist Conner Prince, thank you for your hard work. Be safe!

*** 10:43 PM BREAKING: AIR QUALITY IN LIMA REACHES "PURPLE" OR "VERY UNHEALTHY" CATEGORY ***

Posted: 10:43 PM Thursday, July 16, 2026

Rapidly worsening air quality continues in Lima and Allen County, and the latest air quality reading now confirms the Greater Lima Region has reached an air quality index of 227, which now firmly places us in the "Purple" or "Very Unhealthy" category. There is a very high amount of particulate matter floating int he air that can cause breathing difficulties, worsening of heart/lung and underlying medical conditions. At this level, all people should remain indoors as much as possible.

We may make a run for the "Hazardous" Category, which starts at 301- that is the highest and worst air quality threshold possible.

Please stay safe! Please keep the A/C ventilation going and the windows closed. I want to make sure no one suffers from any health problems because of this major air quality event.

Allen County EMA

07/16/2026

Thank you Chief Meteorologist Conner Prince

*** BREAKING: Lima Air Quality has Entered the Red or "Unhealthy for Everyone" Category as of 630 PM Thursday ***

Posted: 6:50 PM Thursday, July 16, 2026

I want to pass along that the air quality in Lima/Allen County has officially entered the "Red" or "Unhealthy for Everyone" with a reading o f152. With us reaching this threshold. those with underlying heart/lung and medical conditions/diseases should remain inside with everyone else limiting their outdoor exposure to the best of their ability. This air quality may very well worsen further as the evening and night progresses.

Please stay safe!

07/16/2026

An OZONE ADVISORY has been issued for Allen County.