COLUMBUS: A powerful storm rolling through Ohio has shut down operations at the annual State Fair after a public announcement urged visitors to take nearby shelter.
Spokeswoman Alicia Shoults says rides have been shut down after the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Columbus area. Vendors on the ground have also closed their kiosks and portable shops.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol has instructed visitors to wait the storm out at the fair’s indoor buildings. Shoults says there is hardly anyone walking the fairgrounds.
Powerful storms rolling through Ohio has knocked out power to at least 12,000 customers in a state weary from outages over the past several weeks.
