Dark clouds started to appear in the sky in Lima on Wednesday morning.
LIMA — Many local organizations started sending people home Wednesday in anticipation for a strong storm expected to roll through the region.
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for the area through 4 p.m. in the northern parts of the coverage area or 5 p.m. in the southern parts. Damaging wind, small hail and possible tornadoes are possible.
Closed offices
Government agencies decided to close their doors in anticipation of the storm.
• Allen County commissioners’ office closes at noon, with regular hours planned Thursday.
• Allen County treasurer’s office closes at noon. Payments dropped off may be left in secure drop boxes inside and outside the courthouse.
• Allen County board of elections closes at noon. Voting resumes at 8 a.m. Thursday.
• Allen County Child Support Enforcement Agency closes at noon.
• Allen Water District has postponed its board meeting originally scheduled for 2 p.m. today. The board will now meet at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Impact on schools
Schools such as Allen East, Apollo Career Center, Bath, Elida, Heir Force, Lima Central Catholic, Lima, Ohio State Beauty Academy, Perry, Shawnee, Spencerville, Wapakoneta, Waynesfield-Goshen and West Central Learning Academy canceled classes in the morning in anticipation of the storms.
By 11 a.m., some districts who did have classes started deciding to send children home early:
• Crestview: Dismissing at 12:40 p.m. today, with parent pickups at door #6 at the middle school/high school facility at 1 p.m.
• Delphos: All afterschool activities canceled, including meets and practices.
• Delphos St. John’s: Dismissing at 12 p.m. today. Families can pick up at that time, or Delphos buses will run at 1:15 p.m.
• Fort Jennings: All afterschool practices and activities canceled, as well as the baseball game and the junior high track meet.
• Lincolnview: Dismissing at 1 p.m. today. All afterschool activities canceled. Latchkey services after school until the last student is picked up by a parent or guardian.
• Ohio State University at Lima: All in-person afternoon and evening classes starting at 1 p.m. or later canceled. In-person classes will go to alternative instruction methods. Online classes and virtual office will continue as normal.
• Van Wert: Early release at noon for parent pickup. Bus release at noon for Goedde and high school; 12:15 p.m. for ECC, 12:20 p.m. for middle school and 12:40 p.m. for elementary. All evening activities canceled.
Share your information about cancelations or photos of storm damage by emailing [email protected].
