Power Outage in Canton, OH

An Arctic cold front swept through the area around 2 AM 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 light to moderate snow occurred behind the frontal passage and into the morning hours of December 23rd before beginning to taper. 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 35 MPH through the day. Nearby Akron-Canton airport measured a peak wind gust of 49 MPH at 6:28 AM December 23rd. A mesonet station in Canal Fulton measured a gust of 44 MPH at 5:55 PM that day. Sporadic power outages were reported as a result. Sporadic tree damage and power outages resulted. 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. 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. Several of these accidents resulted in at least minor injuries. Wind chills plunged below 0F around 5 AM December 23rd and did not warm back above 0 until the morning hours of December 26th. A minimum wind chill of -31F was recorded at nearby Akron-Canton Airport at 1:51 PM December 23rd. Unfortunately, one fatality resulted due to prolonged exposure to this cold. In response to the conditions, warming centers were opened in Canton, Massillon, and Alliance during the storm. A number of burst pipes were reported across northern Ohio due to this cold, with temperatures remaining in the single digits until Christmas morning. Akron-Canton Airport measured 2.7��� of snow with this storm. Trained spotters measured 3��� of snow in Canton and 2.9��� of snow in Alliance.

OH-153 closed between Maplegrove Street NW and Parks Avenue NW in Louisville due to downed power lines.

Power poles and lines down two miles SSE of Perry Heights.

Wind damage was reported in portions of Stark County due to 50 to 60 mph wind gusts. Trees and power lines were noted down in Canton, North Lawrence, and Canal Fulton.

There were numerous reports of trees and power lines blown down. There was also minor street flooding reported. This report was pictures from social media.

A large tree was blown on a house. Multiple roads were blocked due to fallen trees and power lines in the Canton area.

Multiple trees and power lines were blown down in Canton.

A tree was uprooted near Kenyon Ave. and Highway 172. Multiple trees and power lines were blown down around Massilion.

Several trees and power lines were blown down in North Canton.

Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in North Canton and Massillon. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and utility poles in the vicinity of the intersection of Lincoln Way and Perry Drive. Power outages were reported in the area.

Thunderstorm winds downed some utility poles and power lines along Hills and Dales Road.

Strong winds downed a few power lines in Stark County.

A swath of wind damage occurred from Plain Township and northern Canton, extending southeast to Louisville. A trained weather spotter reported 10 power poles were brought down by thunderstorm winds on 44th Street between Cleveland and Market Streets. Multiple people were trapped in an SUV due to the downed poles. Trees were down in the area of Interstate 77 and Fulton. One 7 inch diameter tree was down on a house. Additional power lines were reported down in Louisville near Route 44 and North Columbus Street.

Wind gusts estimated to be at least 60 mph downed a few trees, large limbs and power lines throughout the county. Scattered power outages were reported.

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

A few trees and power lines were downed across the county.

High winds downed several large tree limbs and uprooted a small tree in the Canton area. Over 4,000 homes and businesses lost power in the county.

High winds downed several trees. Power poles were knocked down as a result of the downed trees.

A mixture of freezing rain and sleet fell on Stark County during the early morning hours of February 1st. More than a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported by daybreak. A second round of freezing rain and drizzle began during the afternoon hours and continued into the early morning hours of the 2nd. Some sleet mixed with the freezing rain at times. A few power outages resulted from the freezing rain early on the 1st. Power outages were more numerous on 2nd. Trees and power lines already weighted down from ice from the 1st gave way with this second round of ice. Stark County was especially hard hit by power outages. Over 50,000 residents in the Canton area alone lost power. It took several days for power to be fully restored. Wrap around snow behind the low affected northern Ohio during the daylight hours of the 2nd. Some of the snow was locally heavy with visibilities at times less than a quarter mile. Much of the area saw between one and three inches of snow. The snow quickly ended from west to east during the evening hours. Strong winds also accompanied the precipitation. Many schools were closed on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd because of residual thick ice on parking lots, sidewalks and secondary roads. This ice resulted from the combination of two days of mixed freezing rain, sleet and snow and was up to two inches thick in some areas. Removing the ice from sidewalks and driveways was nearly impossible.

A strong cold front moved across Stark County during the early evening hours of December 9th. A cluster of showers developed in advance of this front and produced brief wind gusts in excess of 50 mph. Southwest winds behind the front rapidly increased during the afternoon hours with peak gusts of around 60 mph reported late in the day. Winds continued to gust to as much as 50 mph through 10 pm. A 54 mph wind gust was measured in Massillon at 5:15 pm. The high winds downed trees, utility poles and power lines in Wayne County. Over 4000 homes and business lost power in Stark County beginning around 1:30 pm. Some homes and buildings in the county sustained minor damage. Most of this was from lost siding or roofing. Some of this damage was associated with the showers that moved through early in the afternoon.

A strong cold front moved across Stark County during the evening of February 11th. West to southwest winds gusted to more than 60 mph behind the front. Winds finally diminished just before daybreak on the 12th. Dozens of trees and a few utility poles were downed in the county causing scattered power outages. At one time, over 5,000 customers were without power. Many buildings in the county sustained damage. Most of this was from lost shingles, but a few buildings lost gutters or sections of siding. At least one school district in the county delayed the start of classes because of power outages.

Snow began during the late afternoon hours of the 27th, and continued overnight and through the morning of the 28th. The snow finally tapered off during the late afternoon of the 28th. However, during the morning hours, the snow mixed with and changed to freezing rain and sleet across the area. The mixed precipitation lasted between five and six hours. As the low pressure pulled away from the area, colder air moved back into the area and changed any of the mixed precipitation back to snow. Snowfall accumulations were in the 4.0 to 8.0 inch range, but at least a quarter inch of ice was reported in the area during the morning hours. Fortunately, there were no major incidents with the freezing rain and sleet such as widespread power outages and downed trees. Trained spotters measured 8.0 inches in North Industry, but only 4.5 inches in Alliance. Many accidents were reported. Gusty westerly winds accompanied the precipitation and caused some blowing and drifting snow.

High winds associated with the remnants of Hurricane Ike began during the early evening hours of September 14th and continued through late evening. Peak wind gusts were estimated to be around 60 mph with the strongest winds occurring between 6 and 8 pm. Damage in the county was extensive with hundreds of trees and many utility poles downed. Widespread power outages occurred as well with some customers without power for several days. Homes and buildings were damaged throughout 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.

Freezing rain began in Stark County just before dawn on March 4th. The freezing rain continued through the evening hours with a brief lull during the afternoon. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported on roads and sidewalks by early evening with over half an inch of ice accumulation on trees and power poles. The freezing rain eventually changed to light snow during the early morning hours of the 5th. The snow tapered to flurries just after daybreak on the 5th after about an inch of accumulation. Many accidents and scattered power outages were reported during this event. Trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Snow spread into Summit County during the late evening hours of February 11th and continued through the early afternoon hours of the 12th. At that time, the precipitation transitioned to freezing rain. The freezing rain briefly changed to rain before ending during the evening hours of the 12th. Three to five inches of snow was reported across the county along with up to a quarter inch of ice accumulation. Many accidents and a few power outages were reported.

A few trees, large limbs, and power lines were reported down across the county.

Numerous trees and power lines were reported down countywide.

Numerous trees, large limbs and power lines were reported down from just north of the Akron-Canton Airport east to near State Route 183.

Numerous trees, large limbs and power lines were reported down from just north of the Akron-Canton Airport east to near State Route 183.

Tree and large limbs were reported down throughout Perry Township. Scattered power outages caused by the fallen trees were reported.

Freezing rain spread into Stark County during the early morning hours of March 15th. The freezing rain transitioned to light snow around daybreak. Around a quarter inch of ice accumulated along with a dusting of snow. A few power outages and accidents were reported.

A power company had reported several power poles down in the Canton area. Numerous large limbs were also reported downed from thunderstorm winds.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Stark County and downed hundreds of trees and caused widespread power outages. Many homes, businesses and vehicles were damaged by fallen trees. Alliance sustained more damage after being hard hit during the early morning hours. There was also a lot of damage reported in Canton. Over 25,000 people lost power during this storm.

In addition to the large hail that affected much of Stark County, damaging thunderstorm winds also caused considerable damage. Hundreds of trees were downed with homes damaged by trees throughout the county. In Canton alone, 25 streets were blocked by fallen trees and limbs. Widespread power outages also occurred.

Thunderstorm downburst winds estimated at 60 to 70 mph caused considerable damage and widespread power outages in northern Stark County. Hardest hit were the Hartville, Uniontown and North Canton areas where hundreds of trees were downed. Over 50 trees were downed and several cars damaged in Uniontown alone. 60 to 80 power poles and 35 trees were toppled along State Route 619 near Hartville. Numerous homes and buildings were damaged by trees and limbs. A camper trailer was crushed by a tree near Uniontown.

Thunderstorm winds downed at least seven trees and several power poles across the county. Most of the damage was in Lawrence Township where a barn was also destroyed. A second barn lost a large section of roof. A garage was significantly damaged in Canton Township.

Thunderstorm winds downed trees in East Sparta and Massillon and several power poles in Canton.

On June 14, the front moved north over the lake and stalled just north of Erie, PA. Most of Ohio was in the warm sector with much of area getting into the low to mid 80s. Moisture remained abundant in the region as precipitable water values and dew points remained high. A shortwave from southern Michigan/northern Indiana moved east and triggered a few sub-severe thunderstorms before 3pm. However, more storms developed after 5pm and became severe in a higher-moisture, better sheared environment in northeast Ohio. Numerous areas sustained damage to trees and powerlines from thunderstorm winds, including portions of Richland, Geauga, Stark, Mahoning, and Ashtabula Counties. A tree was down on a home in Conneaut. ||Several parts of Trumbull County experienced flash flooding on Sunday June 14 into the early morning hours of the 15th. The airmass was saturated with a very high rainfall efficiency. A thunderstorm complex moved into southern Trumbull County around 4 pm and lasting through 6 pm. The heaviest rain fell around 5 pm with rates estimated over 5 inches per hour according the NWS Doppler Radar. An observation by the US Army Corps of Engineers at nearby Mosquito Lake measured 3.79��� of rain for that day. The deluge resulted in evacuations of at least 4 people from Champion Township due to flooding of several inches in an apartment building. In Warren portions of Niles Road S.E. was damaged by flowing water that was too much for the city���s storm drain system. A restaurant was damaged by flood waters and a mall���s parking lot flooded resulting in flooded cars. A separate office building was damaged from flood waters entering the first floor. A second round of showers came in after 8 pm which just exasperated flood conditions despite only dropping a few hundredths of an inch of rainfall though rates were around 3.5 per hour. A few rain gauge readings from the area: USACE Mosquito Creek 3.95, USGS Leavittsburg gauge 3.29.

An area of low pressure moved from the Plains to the western Great Lakes on February 25th. A warm front stretching east from the low moved north across central and northern Ohio early on the 25th. Rain and freezing fell in association with this front. Ice accumulations of up a quarter inch were reported across much of North-Central Ohio. Some accidents and minor power outages were reported during this event.

Heavy rain and runoff from snowmelt caused widespread flooding in Stark County the first half of January. January 2005 was the fifth wettest January ever at the Akron-Canton Airport with 5.62 inches of rain for the month. Cooperative observers in Louisville measured 7.05 inches during the month. In addition to this rain, extensive snowpack existed over Stark County at the beginning of the month. Temperatures in the 50s the first three days of the month caused a rapid snowmelt and brought area streams and creeks to bankfull just in time for a significant winter storm on the 5th and 6th. Then, just as things began to return to normal, heavy rains fell on the area on the 11th, 12th and 13th causing conditions to once again worsen. Major flooding occurred on streams and rivers, especially in southern Stark County. Nimishillen Creek at North Industry crested around a foot above flood stage on the 12th. Extensive flooding also occurred along the Tuscarawas River in southern Stark County as a direct result of flood mitigation activities at reserviors downstream. Major flooding also was reported along Little Sandy and Sugar Creeks as a result of backups caused by record high water levels at reservoirs just south of the county line. Occupants of six homes along Sugar Creek had to be evacuated with an additional 50 homes accessible only by boat. The Brewster area was about the hardest hit spot in the county with at least two people needing to rescued on January 6th. Flood waters in some parts of the town were as much as 10 feet deep with at least six feet of water at the water treatment plant. A mobile home park had to be evacuated. Extensive flooding was also reported in Minerva, Navarre, East Sparta and Canal Fulton. Dozens of roads had to be closed because of flooding with a few remaining closed for as much as two weeks. In addition to the river and lowland flooding, sump pump failures caused by power outages from the ice storm of January 5th and 6th led to many homes sustaining damage from basement flooding. All total, over a hundred homes were severely damaged by flooding with many hundreds more sustaining at least minor damage.

A record setting winter storm affected northern Ohio on December 22nd and 23rd and dumped both heavy snow and freezing rain on Knox, Holmes, Wayne and Stark Counties. The impact and damage caused by this storm has been compared to the Blizzard of January 1978. Low pressure developed over eastern Texas early on the 22nd and then moved quickly northeast. The low eventually tracked across eastern Ohio during the morning hours of the 23rd after dumping nearly two feet of snow on portions of Ohio. The snow began around daybreak on the 22nd and then intensified during the afternoon. During the evening, warmer air spread into the area as the low approached from the southwest. This caused the snow to first mix with, and then change completely to freezing rain. Moderate to heavy freezing rain then continued through the early morning hours of the 23rd. The freezing rain lightened around daybreak and then changed back to light snow as colder air advected into the area behind the low. The precipitation finally tapered to flurries around midday on the 23rd. One half to as much as one inch of ice accumulated on area roads and power lines. Widespread power outages were reported especially in Knox, Holmes and southern Wayne Counties. It took over a week for power to be restored to all areas. Snow accumulations for the event ranged from 10 to 12 inches in northwestern Wayne County to 4 to 8 inches in Knox and southern Holmes Counties. Travel during this event was nearly impossible due to the ice accumulation and downed trees and power lines. Hundreds of accidents were reported. It took many days for road and power company crews to completely clean up after this event. Damage and clean up costs for this storm were historic with only the Blizzard of 1978 having more financial impact.