Power Outage in Bowling Green, OH

An Arctic cold front swept through the area shortly before midnight December 23rd. Low pressure along this front tracked over Lake Erie early in the morning on December 23rd and rapidly intensified through the day while slowly lifting northeast across Ontario. With the frontal passage rain changed to snow with temperatures dropping from the upper 30s and lower 40s to sub-zero in about 8 hours. A period of mainly light snow occurred behind the front across the county through the morning hours of December 23rd before tapering to flurries. The period of snow and rapidly falling temperatures led to a flash freeze and icy conditions on area roadways. While the falling snow became lighter through the daytime hours of December 23rd, winds began increasing during the pre-dawn hours and gusted over 45 MPH at times through the day. The highest gust in the county was a 56 MPH gust measured at Toledo Executive Airport at 7:17 AM December 23rd. Scattered power-outages resulted, including some at sewage and water pump stations. Wind gusts very gradually subsided into December 24th, though gusts didn���t drop below 30 MPH until that evening. This led to a prolonged period of widespread blowing and drifting snow beginning early in the morning December 23rd and continuing through the afternoon and evening, with some patchy blowing and drifting snow continuing all the way through Christmas Eve. Blowing snow resulted in periods of white-out conditions and drifting snow across roads in open areas where snow blew around the most, especially from the early morning through the evening hours of December 23rd. The greatest impact from this storm was to travel due to the flash freeze and extensive blowing and drifting snow, to go along with low visibility. Numerous minor accidents, slide-offs and disabled vehicles were reported throughout the area on December 23rd and 24th, with over a dozen accidents resulting in at least minor injuries. The Wood County Sheriff declared a Level 2 snow emergency early in the morning on December 23rd, which was not downgraded until the morning of December 24th. This is issued when travel is strongly discouraged across a county unless absolutely necessary. Wind chills plunged below 0 by 3 AM December 23rd and did not rise above 0 until after 6 PM December 25th. The coldest wind chill recorded in the county was -36F on a weather station in Lemoyne at 10:46 AM December 23rd. Toledo Executive Airport recorded a wind chill of -32F at 10:53 AM. A number of burst pipes were reported across the area due to this cold, with temperatures remaining in the single digits until Christmas morning. CoCoRaHS observers measured 2.0��� of snow near Perrysburg and 1.2��� of snow near Bowling Green. A trained spotter also measured 2.0��� near Pemberville.

There were many reports of trees down across the county, including Bradner, Luckey, and Weston. Numerous power outages were reported across the county.

A trained spotter reported trees and power lines down in the Risingsun area.

Wind damage was reported in portions of Wood County due to 50 to 60 mph wind gusts. Trees and power lines were noted down in Luckey. A retail building in Bowling Green sustained structural damage. A personal weather station in Lemoyne recorded a 62 MPH wind gust and 12:13 PM. A personal weather station in Tontogany recorded a 58 MPH wind gust at 1:46 PM. An automated wind sensor at Toledo Executive Airport measured a 48 knot (55 MPH) non-thunderstorm wind gust at 10:15 AM.

A tree was blown down on power lines near Mitchell Road and Mermill Road.

A tree was blown down on a power line.

Numerous large tree branches as well as power lines and poles were blown down.

Several large trees and power lines were blown down. A privacy fence was blown in a neighboring yard.

Toledo Executive Airport reported a 59 mph wind gust at 8:53 am local time. Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in Pemberville. A tractor-trailer was blown over on US Route 6 near Bradner. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

High winds estimated to be more than 60 mph downed trees and large limbs throughout Wood County. At least four semi trucks were blown over on Interstate 75 and a fifth on U.S. Highway 20. At least one of the truck drivers had to be transported to the hospital. A building in Weston lost a section of roofing. A few utility poles were snapped as well. Scattered power outages were reported.

Mixed precipitation spread across the area early on the 12th and then transitioned to snow from west to east. Much of the area also saw a period of freezing rain. The snow increased in intensity during the late morning hours with visibilities less than one half mile. North to northeast winds increased as the low passed to the south of the area. Winds gusted to more than 45 mph during the early afternoon hours. Winds continued to gust to more than 30 mph through the evening hours. The strong winds combined with the snow to create significant blowing and drifting and very treacherous driving conditions. Snowfall totals of up to 6 inches were reported along with a glaze of ice in many areas. Schools across most of northern Ohio were closed on the 12th and the evening commute was very difficult. Dozens of accidents and a some power outages were reported.

High winds across Wood County downed dozens of trees and large limbs. A few electric customers lost power during the storm.

Thunderstorm downburst winds estimated to be as much as 70 mph caused considerable damage in Perrysburg. Dozens of trees and at least three utility poles were toppled. A few homes were damaged by fallen trees. Scattered power outages were reported.

A devastating tornado moved across portions of northern Wood County during the late evening hours of June 5th. The tornado reached a peak intensity of EF4 and was responsible for the deaths of seven people. Five of the victims died immediately with the other two passing away from their injuries at later dates. The initial touchdown occurred east of Perrysburg along Oregon Road just to the north of the Ohio Turnpike. The tornado then moved east northeast toward Toledo Metcalf Field as an EF0 to EF1. The tornado intensified to an EF2 as it crossed East Broadway Street. Over two dozen homes in a neighborhood bordered by East Broadway to the west and State Route 795 to the north and east were heavily damaged or destroyed. The worst of the damage was along Shawnee and Neill Avenues in this neighborhood. The tornado then crossed State Route 795 and followed the highway toward Metcalf Field. The tornado intensified to EF3 at that time. Several homes along Moline-Martin Road were destroyed between State Route 795 and Metcalf Field. An occupant of one of the homes, an 87 year old man, was injured by the tornado and later died. As the tornado approached Metcalf Field it crossed a railroad yard and overturned a couple dozen railroad cars. The tornado then moved across the southern end of the airport grounds and destroyed the Lake Township Administrative and Police Department building located just northwest of the intersection of Cummings Road and State Route 795. A 20 year old female was killed by the tornado just outside of the police department. She had left her vehicle along with her boyfriend and child to seek refuge in the police station. She was caught outside and was reportedly killed by flying debris. At the police station, the tornado destroyed at least six police vehicles and one emergency response vehicle. The emergency response vehicle was found over 1000 feet away from its original position. One police vehicle was found wrapped around a large tree. After doing extensive damage to an agricultural business, the tornado struck the Lake Local School District complex along State Route 795 and Lemoyne Road. Lake High School took a direct hit from the tornado and was damaged enough to be considered destroyed. The nearby middle and elementary schools sustained considerable roof damage. The high school gymnasium was scheduled to hold a commencement ceremony for the graduating senior class on June 6th. Large sections of the gymnasium collapsed. A field house, cafeteria and auditorium adjacent to the high school were destroyed. At least eight school buses were overturned and destroyed by the tornado. The tornado continued to move parallel to and just north of State Route 795 at EF3 intensity. A 56 year old female was killed by flying debris while driving her car on State Route 795 near the school complex. The woman's daughters were following in another car which was also destroyed. The daughters both sustained minor injuries. The tornado continued east northeast and crossed Interstate 280 just north of the State Route 795 interchange before moving across open fields for about a mile. The tornado may have briefly weakened to EF2 intensity, but then strengthened back to EF3 intensity as it crossed Bradner Road to the west of Millbury. The tornado destroyed several homes in a neighborhood bordered by Bradner Road to the west and Cherry Street to the south. A 47 year old man was killed in house on Case Road in this neighborhood. The man's daughter was the valedictorian of the graduating senior class at Lake High School which was destroyed by the tornado. The tornado then intensified to EF4 as it approached Main Street on the north side of Millbury. Over a dozen homes were destroyed or heavily damaged along Main Street. A 36 year old woman and her four year old son were killed in one of the destroyed homes on Main Street. The woman's 37 year old husband died on June 12th from injuries sustained from the tornado. Several more homes were destroyed or heavily damaged on Hille Drive and Woodville Road before the tornado crossed North Fostoria Road and moved into Ottawa County as a weak EF3 or strong EF2 tornado. This tornado was on the ground for around six and a half miles in Wood County and destroyed or heavily damaged over 60 homes. Dozens of additional homes sustained minor damage with another couple hundred homes affected by the storm. Dozens of vehicles were also destroyed. Hundreds of trees were toppled or snapped by the tornado along the damage path which was up to 400 yards in width. The tornado debarked some of the larger trees along the damage path. At least one high tension utility pole was toppled by the tornado and widespread power outages occurred in Millbury and Walbridge. Damage to the Lake Township infrastructure was estimated at five million dollars with tens of millions of losses to the Lake Local School District. The exact number of injuries caused by this tornado is unknown, but at least 17 people had to be hospitalized in nearby Toledo. Debris from this tornado has been found dozens of miles away, including on some of the islands in western Lake Erie.

A strong cold front moved across Wood County during the late morning hours of December 9th. Southwest winds behind the front rapidly increased. By midday, wind gusts were in excess of 45 mph. Gusts increased further during the early afternoon hours. The first 58 mph gust was measured at Toledo Metcalf Airport at 3:34 pm with a peak gust of 60 mph measured at 5:13 pm. A 59 mph gust was measured at Bowling Green at 3:43 pm. Winds continued to gust to as much as 50 mph through 10 pm. The high winds downed trees, utility poles and power lines in Wood County. Scattered power outages were reported. Many homes and buildings in the county sustained minor damage. Most of this was from lost siding or roofing.

A strong cold front moved across Wood County during the evening of February 11th. West to southwest winds gusted to more than 60 mph behind the front. A peak gust of 62 mph was measured near Walbridge just after midnight. Winds finally diminished a couple hours before daybreak on the 12th. Dozens of trees and a few utility poles were downed in the county causing scattered power outages. Many buildings in the county sustained damage. Most of this was from lost shingles, but a few buildings lost gutters or sections of siding.

Precipitation began during the overnight hours of the 19th, and continued through the late morning hours. Precipitation initially was a mixture of snow and sleet across the area, then quickly transitioned over to freezing rain. Freezing rain continued through the late morning hours, and even transitioned over to rain across the southern half of the county before ending. Around a quarter inch of ice was reported across the area. A trained spotter just southwest of Bowling Green reported a quarter inch of ice. In Perrysburg, a dead tree stressed by ice fell onto a house causing minor damage. Overall, the ice impact was fairly minimal as temperatures were around freezing and even rose above freezing before precipitation ended. There were some accidents across the area and some power lines down, but overall damage throughout the area was relatively minor.

High winds associated with the remnants of Hurricane Ike began late in the afternoon of September 14th and then continued through much of the evening. Wind gusts were estimated to be as much as 60 mph. Damage in the county was extensive with thousands of trees and many utility poles downed. Widespread power outages occurred as well with some customers without power for several days. Many homes and buildings were damaged across the county. The damage ranged from a few shingles torn off to significant structural damage caused by fallen trees landing on roofs. Numerous vehicles were damaged by fallen trees and limbs and also from flying debris. This storm hampered travel as downed trees and power lines forced the closure of many roads. Substantial clean up costs were incurred by local governments. Some of the schools in the county were forced to close on Monday the 15th because of the power outages. Significant crop losses occurred as well. Corn yields were reduced between 3 and 5 percent in many areas with lesser losses to the soybean crop.

Many power poles and wires were reported down across the county. The largest concentration of damage was reported to be mainly east of Interstate 75 in the eastern half of the county. Many large limbs were also reported down countywide.

Numerous locations countywide reported power lines and/or power poles down.

Snow began in Wood County during the afternoon hours of December 15th and changed to freezing rain late in the evening. The freezing rain changed back to snow during the early morning hours of the 16th. The snow intensified during the late morning hours with visibilities of less than a half mile reported. Winds gusted to nearly 40 mph on the 16th which caused considerable blowing and drifting. The snow finally tapered off to flurries during the afternoon of the 16th. Around a quarter inch of ice accumulation and over 6 inches of snow was reported over most of the county. Cooperative observers in Bowling Green and Hoytville measured 9.0 and 8.0 inches of snow. Many accidents and a few power outages were reported.

Freezing rain began to fall in Wood County shortly after 8 am on December 9th. Periods of freezing were then reported through the early evening hours. Up to a half inch of ice accumulation was reported at some locations. Surface temperatures during this event hovered in the upper 20s to around 30 degrees. Scattered power outages were reported. Many accidents also occurred.

Numerous trees and power lines were reported down across the county.

Strong winds in the wake of a thundestorm moved over the area during the early afternoon hours of the 2nd. One of the two minarets from a local mosque in Perrysburg Township also fell over. Two vehicles parked in the area were damaged from the fallen minaret. A few power poles and lines were also downed by the strong winds.

Several trees and power lines were reported down.

A trained spotter estimated winds around 70 mph. Numerous trees, large limbs, and powers lines came down as a result of the high winds across the county. A tree was reported to have fallen on a car causing damage. At a high school, a set of stadium lights were knocked down due to the high winds.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Wood County and downed dozens of trees. Scattered power outages were also reported. A 67 mph wind gust was measured at the Bowling Green water treatment plant. A few homes and vehicles were damaged by fallen trees and flying debris.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Wood County and caused widespread damage and power outages. A 101 mph wind gust was measured at the Bowling Green Airport at approximately 3:55 p.m. The airport, located on the northeast side of town, was very hard hit. The terminal building lost a large section of roof with three nearby hangers heavily damaged. A total of 17 aircraft were either damaged or destroyed. Four buildings at the Bowling Green State University were damaged by the strong winds. Signs and a press box on the campus were also toppled. Many other homes and buildings, including a city garage, were damaged. Hundreds of trees and limbs were downed and many streets had to closed because of debris. Dozens of vehicles sustained varying amounts of damage.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Wood County and caused widespread damage and power outages. The most significant damage occurred in the central portion of the county, but Bradner, Tontogany and Grand Rapids were also very hard hit. A few homes were damaged in Grand Rapids and a garage was leveled in Tontogany by winds estimated to be in excess of 75 mph. Several trees and large limbs were downed in the county and crop losses were significant.

Straight line thunderstorm winds caused considerable damage across Wood County. Several homes and a garage were damaged in Tontogany. The Weston area was also hard hit. Several homes were damaged, a car was destroyed and 26 power poles were toppled on the northwest side of the town. Over a dozen trees were downed in Haskins and a semi truck was blown over on Interstate 75 near State Route 582. Scattered trees were also reported down elsewhere across the county.

Thunderstorm winds snapped a power pole.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few power poles two miles south of Rising Sun.

Thunderstorm winds downed dozens of trees and 35 power poles in the county. North Baltimore was hardest hit with 20 power poles and over a dozen trees downed. Several homes and cars were severely damaged in North Baltimore. Trees and poles were also blown down in Cygnet, Rudolf, Rossford and Bradner.