COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Storms with heavy rain and vivid lightning have been sweeping across Ohio, leaving streets under water in some spots.

Lightning strikes began in Columbus around 7 a.m. Friday, accompanied by strong downpours. American Electric Power reported 4,300 customers without power, mostly in Delaware County north of Columbus.

In northwest Ohio, which felt the brunt of the severe weather a little earlier, Defiance and Williams County authorities reported water up to a foot deep flooding some federal and state highways.

The National Weather Service has much of western and central Ohio under a severe thunderstorm watch until noon. The forecasters say in some parts of the region, hail, more than an inch of rain and wind gusts of up to 60 mph are possible.

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