CINCINNATI — The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for southeastern portions of Northern Kentucky and Ohio on July 21, 2026. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are expected to move through the Ohio Valley on July 21, 2026.

The storms have the potential to produce damaging winds, large hail, localized flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes. Thunderstorms are expected to develop ahead of an approaching cold front on July 21, 2026.

The first round of storms is expected during the morning hours of July 21, 2026. The greatest risk for severe weather from the initial round appears to be south of Interstate 71.

Forecasters expect moisture to continue streaming into the region, potentially rebuilding instability levels sufficient to support another round of strong to severe thunderstorms in the afternoon. Repeated rounds of thunderstorms could produce 1 to 3 inches of rain, with isolated higher amounts.

The National Weather Service said that some localized flash flooding will be possible this afternoon and evening, especially across far southeastern areas, where thunderstorm coverage is expected to be maximized.

The Flood Watch covers Bracken, Grant, Lewis, Mason, Owen, Pendleton, and Robertson counties in Kentucky. The Flood Watch covers Adams, Brown, Pike, and Scioto counties in Ohio.

The forecast for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, includes a high near 88 degrees Fahrenheit and a 90 percent chance of precipitation. Heavy storms caused flash flooding on the East Side of Cincinnati prior to July 21, 2026.

Cincinnati fire officials said floodgates on Duck Creek failed to close during the July 17, 2026 downpour. Duck Creek overflowed its banks and affected nearby areas during the July 17, 2026 downpour.

The National Weather Service is a U.S. forecasting agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency was established in 1970.

The Ohio River Valley has a documented history of severe flooding, with the most serious flooding reported in March 1997 along the Ohio, Scioto, and Great Miami Rivers. During that event, the main stem of the Ohio reached the highest levels in over 30 years.

In the 2022 July flood event in Eastern Kentucky, the National Weather Service issued a 12-hour warning prior to the first significant flooding. The July flash floods in Eastern Kentucky resulted in 43 fatalities, marking it as the deadliest non-tropical flood event in the U.S. since the late 1970s.