If you’re driving through Columbus or maybe just passing a local post office in Cleveland today, you might have noticed the flags. Usually, we don't think twice about them. But then you see one at the bottom of the pole, or maybe just halfway up, and you start wondering. Did something happen? Is there a national day of mourning I missed? Keeping track of the ohio flag status today can feel like trying to follow a moving target, especially with how fast news cycles move in 2026.
Honestly, most of the time, the flag is at full staff.
What is the Ohio Flag Status Today?
As of right now, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the flags across most of Ohio are flying at full staff. Governor Mike DeWine hasn't issued a statewide decree for lowerings today. However, there’s a bit of nuance here that most people miss. Just because the Statehouse in Columbus has the flag at the top doesn't mean your local town hall does.
Sometimes, a specific county or city might be honoring a local hero—maybe a fallen firefighter or a long-serving mayor who passed away. For instance, just last month, we saw flags lowered specifically in Stark County for former Mayor Thomas Bernabei. If you see a flag at half-staff in your neighborhood today but the official state tracker says "Full Staff," it’s likely a local tribute.
Who Actually Makes the Call?
It’s not just one person. Basically, there are two main "bosses" when it comes to the flag.
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The President of the United States can order the U.S. flag to half-staff across the entire country. This usually happens for national tragedies or when a major figure like a former President or Supreme Court Justice passes. Then you have Governor Mike DeWine. He has the authority to lower both the U.S. and Ohio flags for state-specific reasons. He often does this to honor fallen Ohio service members, police officers, or notable state leaders.
You’ve probably seen it happen for:
- Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15)
- Patriot Day (September 11)
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7)
- Immediate notifications for line-of-duty deaths
It's a sign of respect. A silent way for the state to say, "We noticed, and we care."
The "Half-Mast" vs. "Half-Staff" Debate
Okay, tiny pet peeve time. You’ll hear people use these interchangeably all the time. But if you want to sound like an expert, there’s a difference. "Half-mast" is technically for ships and naval stations. If you’re on land, it’s "half-staff."
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Does it really matter in casual conversation? Not really. Most people will know exactly what you mean. But if you’re ever at a VFW or talking to a vet, using the right term goes a long way.
Why the Ohio Flag is Unique
While we're talking about the flag, we have to mention that Ohio’s flag isn't even a rectangle. It’s a "burgee." We’re the only state in the Union with a swallowtail design. It was designed by John Eisenmann in 1901 and it's full of symbolism. The "O" represents both Ohio and the Buckeye State. Those 17 stars? That’s because we were the 17th state admitted to the Union.
When you see that unique shape at half-staff, it stands out way more than a standard rectangular flag. It looks intentional. Because it is.
How to Check the Status Yourself
You don’t have to guess. If you’re curious about a specific day, the best place to look is the official Governor of Ohio website. They have a dedicated "Flag Status" page that is updated pretty much the moment a proclamation is signed.
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Local news stations like WBNS-10TV or the Cincinnati Enquirer are also usually all over it if there's a local lowering. Social media is a gamble, but the Governor's official X (formerly Twitter) account is a reliable source for real-time alerts.
What Should You Do if the Flag is Lowered?
If you manage a building or have a flagpole at home, following the ohio flag status today is a way to stay connected to the community. Here’s the "pro" way to do it:
- When raising the flag to half-staff, you first hoist it to the very top for a brief moment.
- Then, you lower it to the halfway point.
- Before you take it down at sunset, you have to hoist it to the peak again before lowering it all the way.
It’s a bit of extra work, but it’s the proper protocol.
Basically, the flag is a living document of our state's mood. Today, it’s a day of "business as usual" across most of the state, but it only takes one executive order to change that. Keep an eye on the skyline; it tells a story if you know how to read it.
To stay updated, you can sign up for email alerts directly from the Ohio Governor’s office. This ensures you’re never the last person in the neighborhood to know why the flags have moved. If you are flying a flag at home, double-check your local municipal ordinances, as some towns have specific rules for how long a flag can stay at half-staff for local figures.