Heavy rain and strong winds swept across northeast Ohio on Tuesday afternoon, leaving a trail of devastation and about 470,000 people without power. Authorities said that about 20,000 residents of the city of Cleveland Power supply was restored by Wednesdayand said about 14,000 other customers were still waiting for power to be restored.
Photos of devastation in communities across the state showed fallen trees, torn-off house facades, damaged vehicles, downed power lines and large pieces of buildings strewn across streets, Scripps News Cleveland reported. Boats at a popular marina in Lorain on the shores of Lake Erie were capsized.
Jerry Gassan
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for much of Cleveland and the surrounding area, and a tornado warning was issued for half a dozen counties. The National Weather Service said at least two tornadoes were spotted in several counties.
News 5 Cleveland
The storms came after relatively mild weather conditions in the region, but extensive damage occurred during the hours when it was even more severe. Surveyors sent to assess the damage prepared reports of the storms, which were the strongest the region had experienced in years.
Images from Scripps News Cleveland showed boats thrown ashore and overturned at Edgewater Marina.
Car trapped in wires in Mentor
In the town of Mentor, just outside Cleveland on Lake Erie, firefighters had to rescue a car after a driver drove around a barrier and hit downed power lines.
And in the coastal town of Bay Village on Lake Erie, fallen trees were scattered everywhere.
Storm damage in Lorain County
At a home in Bay Village, the entire driveway was blocked by a fallen tree.
News 5 Cleveland
After the storm, residents were seen cleaning up the damage. A tree fell on one person’s porch, causing damage.
Storm damage in Cleveland
In Parma Heights, southeast of Cleveland, the entire roof of an apartment complex was blown off.
Storm damage in Parma Heights
Fallen trees covered major roads and caused delays for motorists. Homes and vehicles were damaged by fallen trees.
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Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said emergency crews would be out clearing debris and assessing damage through Wednesday. He asked residents without power or medical care to seek shelter with family or friends and ask the community for help.
WEWS
This story was originally published by Drew Scofield at Scripps News Cleveland.
