Emergency Shelter Activated at the Hartwell Recreation Center and Other Storm Updates

As tens of thousands remain without power 24 hours after severe storms hit the region, the Red Cross is opening an emergency shelter at the Hartwell Recreation Center (8275 Vine Street) beginning at 6 p.m. Food and shelter will be available to all who need it. The shelter will operate overnight with assistance from the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Cincinnati Fire Department and the Cincinnati Police Department.

Power Outages

Duke Energy reports that there are approximately 93,000 without power in the region. To report an outage text “OUT” to 57801 or call Duke Energy at 800-543-5599.

Treat all downed power lines as live. Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines and report them immediately to 911.

• Only use generators OUTDOORS and AWAY from windows. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you, your family and pets.
• Keep generators dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock.
• Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.

Debris Clean Up

• Cincinnati
  • Call 311 or use the 311 app to submit a request for debris removal
  • Department of Public Services crews will be collecting small debris on the curb through this Friday, August 14
  • Due to the ongoing storms and cleanup efforts, collections may be delayed​
• Hamilton County
  • Yard Debris Drop Off: Hamilton County residents can drop off yard debris at one of the designated Hamilton County ReSource sites. Visit the Hamilton County ReSource Yard Trimmings Drop Off page for more information, including site locations and hours.
  • Household Chemicals: Use Hamilton County ReSource Recycling and Reuse Search Tool to know how to properly dispose of household chemicals. 
  • Drywall and other Construction Materials: Visit one of the four construction and demolition debris landfill locations noted on the Hamilton County ReSource Construction page. 
  • Lithium-ion Battery Devices and Vehicles: Disconnect any potentially flooded lithium-ion battery-powered devices or vehicles from chargers and notify your local fire department.
  • More Info: Call the Hamilton County Recycling Hotline at 513-946-7766 for more information about debris disposal. Visit Rumpke’s Curbside Guidelines page to learn more about what items Rumpke can take. Visit the City of Cincinnati's Yard Waste Page for more information about the items they can take. 

Household Food Safety Guidelines During Power Outages

Residents should carefully inspect refrigerated and frozen foods before consuming them and discard anything that may have been exposed to unsafe temperatures.​

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
• A refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four (4) hours if unopened.
• A full freezer will keep a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if half full) if the door stays closed.
• Discard refrigerated perishable foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products, leftovers, and cut fruits or vegetables that have been above 40°F for more than four (4) hours.
• Frozen food that still has ice crystals or stays at 40°F or below can generally be safely refrozen.
• Never taste food to figure out whether it is safe.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

For more food safety information, visit foodsafety.gov.

SNAP Recipients Who Lost Food May be Eligible for Replacement Benefits

Households who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and lost food because of storm-related power outages may be eligible for replacement benefits.

If food bought with SNAP benefits was lost because of a power outage lasting four (4) hours or longer, recipients may apply for replacement benefits equal to the value of the lost food, up to their monthly SNAP benefit amount.

Applications for replacement benefits must be made within 10 days of the loss. Residents affected by yesterday’s storms must submit applications no later than Friday, August 21.

• Ohio SNAP Recipients
  • Complete Ohio Jobs and Family Services (JFS) Form 07222 and submit it to the county JFS office.
  • JFS requires documentation of the extended power outage to process the application, so applicants should include verification with their applications.
  • Verification can include screen shots of news reports, text or email alerts, or outage maps that show their specific area was without power for four or more hours.

Sign Up for CincyAlert

Residents can sign up for CincyAlerts, powered by Smart911. CincyAlert is the City of Cincinnati’s official public alerting system for both emergency and non-emergency updates. Users can create a profile, select which alert types they would like to receive, and opt into alerts via text, email, or both. Get started at CincyAlert.org.

Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency​

• If you encounter flood waters, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN. Do not attempt to drive or walk through the flood waters.
• When thunder roars, go indoors! When lightning is in the area, seek shelter indoors and stay there for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap. 
• If your home begins to receive water, move to higher ground and move valuable items and important documents off the ground.
• Heed all official guidance and ensure that you have multiple ways to receive alerts and warnings.​