Decorative drawing: a small American settlement seen from a low hill. Not a photograph of this place.

Oak Harbor, Ohio

13 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1900 and the latest in 1986. It stands in Salem Township. It lies in ZIP code area 43449. It stands on Wolf Creek. The Survey maps it on the Oak Harbor quadrangle. 2,821 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 581 feet above sea level.

Research this city

This curated hub for Ottawa County, Ohio brings together the page's documented record links, visible map or image evidence where published, and routes to related local records.

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Oak Harbor within Ottawa County

Population over time

2 figures

Oak Harbor grew from 2,759 to 2,821 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

Year	People	Change
2010	2,759
2020	2,821	+62 (+2%)

Then and now

1900 to 1986

The same ground, surveyed 86 years apart. Drag the handle to wipe between them. Both sheets are United States Geological Survey originals; neither has been altered.

Topographic sheet of Oak Harbor, surveyed 1986

Topographic sheet of Oak Harbor, surveyed 1900

Topographic sheets covering this place

13 sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Fires nearby

1 since 2013

The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 1 fire within 5 miles of Oak Harbor between 2013 and 2013, burning about 10 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause	Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined	1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

Date	Cause	Size	Reported by	Name on the report
1 April 2013	Missing data/not specified/undetermined	10 acres	Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge	BURMIESTER FIRE

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Lacarne

Every fire recorded in Ottawa County

Specimens collected nearby

12 of 2,679 shown

Museums hold 2,679 specimens collected within 10 miles of Oak Harbor between 1825 and 1975: 2,649 Animalia, 23 Plantae, 6 Fungi, 1 Chromista. 12 distinct Species records are shown. Collected by A. Woolman, Albiet, P., Anderson, J. (John) and others. Each is a physical object with a catalogue number, and each entry opens the museum's record. This is what was collected and kept, not a survey of what lives here - nothing can be concluded from a species being absent.

Species	Year	Collected by	Where, as recorded
Hygroamblystegium tenax (Hedw.) Jenn.	1825	T. Drummond	Banks of the Portage River
Pseudoleskea rigescens Lindb.	1828	Thomas Drummond	Banks of the Portage River
Hydroprogne caspia (Pallas, 1770)	1865	Trautman, M. B. (Milton Bernard)	Winous Pt., Bay Twp, Ottawa, Ohio, USA
Charadrius vociferus Linnaeus, 1758	1879	not recorded
Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766)	1880	Porter, J.B.
Riparia riparia (Linnaeus, 1758)	1880	Porter collection, J.B.
Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)	1880	Porter collection, J.B.
Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque, 1819	1894	C. Rutter	Portage River, Oak Harbor, Ohio
Moxostoma erythrurum (Rafinesque, 1818)	1894	C. Rutter	Portage River, Oak Harbor, Ohio
Notemigonus crysoleucas (Mitchill, 1814)	1894	C. Rutter	Portage River, Oak Harbor, Ohio
Cerastium velutinum var. velutinum	1895	Collector(s): Edwin Lincoln Moseley	Lakeside Marblehead [Peninsula], Hartshorn's Dock
Myosotis verna Nutt.	1895	E. L. Moseley

All 2,679 specimens within 10 miles, at the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Storms nearby

60 of 76 shown

The National Weather Service names Oak Harbor in 76 storm reports between 1995 and 2025: 36 thunderstorm wind, 33 hail, 3 flash flood, 2 tornado. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

When	Event	Place named	Harm	What the report says
June 2018	Flash Flood	Oak Harbor	$1,250,000	Three rounds of torrential rain moved across Ottawa County on the evening of June 12th between 8 pm and midnight. The heaviest rain occurred around 1030 pm with rainfall rates estimated at over 5 inches per hour lasting for 45 minutes. Unofficial rain gauges in the area reported storm total rainfall amounts of 5 to 6 inches between Oak Harbor and Port Clinton, with one cocorahs station reporting 5.50 inches over Port Clinton. A rain gauge in Catawba Island reported as much as 8 inches, though this cannot be verified. Though a lakeside and relatively flat terrain the area is flood prone. Flooding was notable in this event due the intensity of the rainfall which overwhelmed storm drainage systems. The Portage River, which flows through Ottawa County to its mouth at Sandusky Bay, was elevated but did not flood. Lake Erie, another source for storm water output, was elevated at the time of the rainfall contributing to poor storm drainage. \|Local officials declared a State of Emergency for Port Clinton and Oak Harbor due to extensive flooding. The primary impacts were widespread basement flooding and road closures. Hardest hit in Port Clinton were Madison, Lee, Taft, and Columbia Streets. Flood waters reached the front doors of many homes as neighborhood storm drains were overwhelmed. At least one basement wall collapsed. Following a CERT survey, there were at least 6 homes with major damage, 51 with minor damage, and 134 affected. The area hospital flooded with 2-3 inches in the lobby, gift shop, and radiology department, along with the south parking lot. In Port Clinton alone up to 35 roads were either closed or had reports of high water between 2 and 3 feet deep. In Oak Harbor Ohio 19 between Ohio 163 and Ottawa Street was flooded. The primary impacts in Oak Harbor was flooded basements. Total damages estimated around $1.25 M.
June 2020	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$150,000	Ottawa County Emergency Management, Sheriff Dispatch, and several trained spotters reported widespread wind damage across Ottawa County. Tree damage and downed power poles and lines were reported in Oak Harbor, Port Clinton, Catawba Island, and Marblehead in the mainland portions of the county. Several of the downed trees were quite large, as much as three and a half feet in diameter, and several were reported to be snapped. Outside of a few trees falling onto structures, some homes reported wind damage with a roof removed from a garage and others having miscellaneous roof and shingle damage. An automated wind sensor at Carl R Keller Field reported a 60 mph wind gust during the event. Power outages in the area lasted several days.
August 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$70,000	Thunderstorm winds uprooted a tree measuring four feet in diameter and 70 feet in height. The tree fell onto a house and caused moderate damage.
August 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$50,000	Thunderstorm winds downed numerous large trees and power lines. Two trees measuring four feet in diameter and thirty feet tall were uprooted. A vehicle was damaged by one of the trees.
July 1998	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$50,000	A barn and trees were downed in Salem Township, south of Oak Harbor.
June 2025	Tornado (EF0)	Oak Harbor	$49,000	An EF0 tornado with estimated peak winds of 70-mph impacted the Rocky Ridge area and moved east-northeastward during its lifespan. This tornado began west of Toussaint Portage Road and produced minor tree damage, including one tree downed onto a house. Another home on Toussaint Portage Road sustained minor roof and facade damage, and had a window shattered. As the tornado continued to move east-northeastward, it downed additional tree branches along Genzman Road and then removed a portion of a small barn's roof before the tornado dissipated.
July 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$40,000	Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree and several limbs at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds. Some tents at the fair were also blown down. A couple concession trailers were damaged as well.
August 2022	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$20,000	Multiple trees and power poles downed, and a shed was damaged in Oak Harbor.
March 2017	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$15,000	Thunderstorm winds downed a utility pole near State Route 19.
August 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$15,000	Thunderstorm winds downed several large limbs. A railroad crossing bar was also snapped off by the high winds.
August 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$15,000	Thunderstorm winds toppled a utility pole and a large tree.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$15,000	Utility poles and wires were reported down.
April 2003	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$15,000	Thunderstorm winds damaged a house near Oak Harbor.
August 2013	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$10,000	Law enforcement relayed a report of a large tree down on a road near Oak Harbor. A trained spotter reported a large 3 to 4 foot diameter tree down northeast of Genoa. A trained spotter also reported numerous 10-15 inch diameter tree limbs down in Elmore.
May 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$5,000	Several power poles were blown down and a couple leaning along Benton-Carrol Road.
July 2016	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$5,000	Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs across the city.
July 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$5,000	Thunderstorm winds downed a few power poles in the area.
August 2002	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$5,000	Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs.
July 2007	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$3,000	Several large limbs were reported down.
November 2014	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$2,000	Thunderstorm winds downed a few large tree limbs.
May 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$2,000	Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree.
June 2009	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$2,000	Several large limbs were reported down.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$2,000	Several large limbs were reported down.
August 1995	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$2,000	Large limbs were downed.
May 2018	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$1,000	Thunderstorm wind gusts toppled a large pine tree west of Oak Harbor.
March 2011	Hail	Oak Harbor	$1,000	Pea sized hail was reported with this storm.
August 2010	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$1,000	A thunderstorm wind gust of 61 mph was measured. Thunderstorm winds downed small tree limbs at the time of the measured gust.
June 1998	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	$500	A tree and a telephone pole were downed.
June 2023	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Hail up to quarter-size in Oak Harbor.
August 2021	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	-	Roof damage to home in Oak Harbor. Numerous shingles were torn off.
May 2020	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	-	A couple trees down and partially blocking roads in the Oak Harbor area. Time estimated via radar.
June 2019	Flood	Oak Harbor	-	Storms with heavy rain moved into Ottawa County in the afternoon of June 5. Heavy thunderstorms moved into the area around 3 PM lasting for over an hour. By 4 PM over 2 inches of rain had fallen triggering flash flooding in the Oak Harbor area. Waters 3 inches above dump truck door. Oak Harbor on SR19 & Main. Storm drainage was less efficient than normal due to high lake levels at the time, exasperating flood impacts.
August 2019	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	-	There was a tree down near the intersection of Behlman and West Fick Roads.
December 2019	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Pea to nickel-size hail fell for about five minutes.
June 2015	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Penny sized hail was observed.
May 2015	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	-	Thunderstorm wind gusts were estimated to be at least 60 mph.
August 2013	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	A trained weather spotter reported penny size hail and numerous power outages.
March 2012	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Nickel sized hail was observed.
March 2012	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Quarter sized hail was observed.
March 2012	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Nickel sized hail was observed.
June 2012	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	-	Thunderstorm winds downed a few large tree limbs.
August 2012	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	-	Trained spotter estimated a 60 mph wind.
July 2012	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Quarter sized hail was observed.
July 2012	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Nickel sized hail was observed.
July 2012	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Quarter to half dollar sized hail was observed.
August 2011	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Penny sized hail was observed.
May 2011	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	-	Thunderstorms produced an estimated wind gust of 65mph.
September 2011	Flood	Oak Harbor	-	An official NWS observer reported 2.3 of rain in Oak Harbor in a matter of a few hours. This rainfall over already saturated ground resulted in widespread minor flooding. Several roads in downtown Oak Harbor were flooded with high water up to a foot deep.
May 2010	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Nickel to quarter size hail was observed.
July 2009	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Penny size hail was observed.
June 2008	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Penny size hail was observed.
February 2008	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Penny size hail was observed.
June 2008	Thunderstorm Wind	Oak Harbor	-	A trained spotter estimated thunderstorm wind gusts to be 60 mph. No damage was immediately noted during the wind gusts.
March 2007	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Nickel size hail was observed.
May 2007	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Penny size hail was observed.
June 2006	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Penny size hail was observed.
June 2006	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Penny size hail was observed.
May 2006	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Penny size hail was observed.
June 2006	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Penny size hail was observed.
May 2005	Hail	Oak Harbor	-	Quarter size hail was observed.

Every storm recorded in Ottawa County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Place	Distance	Sheets
Rocky Ridge	3.9 miles	13
Limestone	4.7 miles	13
Lacarne	5.6 miles	14
Locust Point	6.3 miles	14
Maple Grove (historical)	6.3 miles	13
Graytown	6.6 miles	16
Sheldon (historical)	7.0 miles	16
Middleton (historical)	7.2 miles	16

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on Oak Harbor	An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q1816725	The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1065474. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Specimens. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), https://www.gbif.org/. Only records licensed CC0 or CC BY are used. Records licensed CC BY-NC are excluded because this site carries advertising. Images are checked individually and any whose licence is non-commercial, no-derivatives or unreadable is refused.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.