Power Outage in Findlay, 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 occasionally gusted over 45 mph through the day. The highest reliably-measured wind gust in the county was a 55 MPH gust at the Findlay airport, measured at 4:33 PM December 23rd. 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. 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. At one point around 4 AM December 23rd, I-75 southbound was closed near milepost 168 due to multiple jack-knifed semis. A few accidents across the county during the storm resulted in at least minor injuries. The Hancock County Sheriff declared a Level 3 Snow Emergency during the morning hours of December 23rd, which closed all roads in the county to non-emergency travel. This was not lifted until the next morning. Wind chills plunged below 0 by 2 AM December 23rd and did not rise above 0 until the early morning hours of December 26th. Findlay airport recorded a wind chill of -36F at 9:53 AM December 23rd. A mesonet station in Findlay also measured a wind chill of -38F at 10:45 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. A CoCoRaHS observer measured 2.3��� of snow in Findlay with this storm.

Scattered tree damage and eight power poles downed in Rawson.

An EF-0 tornado with estimated peak winds of 80 mph began about a half-mile south of Rawson. As the tornado moved northeastward, it ripped off the metal roof from a barn and wood beams were snapped and driven into the ground. A separate barn was destroyed, several power poles were snapped, and several trees were downed. The tornado ended about a quarter-mile west of the Findlay Airport.

An EF-0 tornado with estimated peak winds of 80 mph began about a half-mile south of Rawson. As the tornado moved northeastward, it ripped off the metal roof from a barn and wood beams were snapped and driven into the ground. A separate barn was destroyed, several power poles were snapped, and several trees were downed. The tornado ended about a quarter-mile west of the Findlay Airport.

The ASOS at Findlay Airport measured a 52 knot (60 mph) wind gust at 2:02 pm. Around this same time, a power pole snapped, blocking portions of Township Road 205, east of the city of Findlay. Numerous power outages were reported in Hancock County due to the winds downing power lines.

Several large tree limbs snapped and a power pole knocked down about one-mile SSW of Findlay.

Several trees and power lines were blown down.

Several trees and power lines were blown down on Decker Avenue.

Findlay Airport reported a 63 mph wind gust at 8:53 am local time. Trees and power lines were downed across the area, including in Findlay. Scattered power outages were reported in the county.

A thunderstorm downburst produced wind gusts in excess of 80 mph and caused a three mile long damage path across the northwest and north ends of Findlay. The damage path began in an industrial park off of Westfield Drive just west of Interstate 75. Warehouse and factory buildings in the area sustained varying amounts of roof and wall damage. In some instances cinder block walls gave way after the roofs above them were torn away or damaged. A restaurant at a shopping plaza near Interstate 75 was also damaged. The damage path continued northeast across the interstate. Several light poles at the athletic fields at Findlay High School were toppled. One of the poles landed on a parked vehicle and a second struck the high school. The high school sustained some roof damage and also had several windows blown out. From the high school, the damage path continued down Trenton Avenue. Another restaurant sustained major damage after an exterior wall was heavily damaged. Right down the street, a mobile home was destroyed and several others damaged. Two travel trailers parked nearby were overturned and destroyed. One of those was blown into a garage causing a cinder block wall to collapse. A roof was blown off of a detached garage. Several large hardwood trees were snapped near the intersection of Trenton Avenue and Main Street. More snapped or uprooted trees were observed in the neighborhood around East Melrose Avenue. A couple mobile homes along Melrose Avenue were shifted from their foundations and a three story apartment building along Crystal Avenue lost a section of roofing. An industrial building nearby was also heavily damaged after part of the roof was torn off and a wall partially collapsed. Scattered power outages were reported across the area.

A thunderstorm downburst produced wind gusts in excess of 80 mph and caused a three mile long damage path across the northwest and north ends of Findlay. The damage path began in an industrial park off of Westfield Drive just west of Interstate 75. Warehouse and factory buildings in the area sustained varying amounts of roof and wall damage. In some instances cinder block walls gave way after the roofs above them were torn away or damaged. A restaurant at a shopping plaza near Interstate 75 was also damaged. The damage path continued northeast across the interstate. Several light poles at the athletic fields at Findlay High School were toppled. One of the poles landed on a parked vehicle and a second struck the high school. The high school sustained some roof damage and also had several windows blown out. From the high school, the damage path continued down Trenton Avenue. Another restaurant sustained major damage after an exterior wall was heavily damaged. Right down the street, a mobile home was destroyed and several others damaged. Two travel trailers parked nearby were overturned and destroyed. One of those was blown into a garage causing a cinder block wall to collapse. A roof was blown off of a detached garage. Several large hardwood trees were snapped near the intersection of Trenton Avenue and Main Street. More snapped or uprooted trees were observed in the neighborhood around East Melrose Avenue. A couple mobile homes along Melrose Avenue were shifted from their foundations and a three story apartment building along Crystal Avenue lost a section of roofing. An industrial building nearby was also heavily damaged after part of the roof was torn off and a wall partially collapsed. Scattered power outages were reported across the area.

Thunderstorm wind gusts downed some power poles and lines near JC Donnell Stadium on the south side of Findlay.

Wind gusts estimated to be at least 60 mph downed trees, large limbs and power lines throughout the county. A tractor trailer was blown over on State Route 613 between McComb and Van Buren. No injuries were reported. Scattered power outages occurred.

The ASOS at the Findlay airport measured a gust to 51 knots at 724 am EDT. The strong winds also caused damage to a gas station in Findlay where a portion of the canopy broke off. Numerous power outages were also 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 40 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. Between one and two tenths of an inch of ice accumulation along with 4 to 6 inches of snow was reported in Hancock County. 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.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Hancock County downing many trees and causing scattered power outages.

Thunderstorm winds downed many large tree limbs. County Road 140 and U.S. Route 224 had to be closed because of downed power lines.

An intense line of thunderstorms or Derecho moved across Hancock County during the afternoon of June 29th causing extensive damage. A 84 mph wind gust was measured by an trained spotter in Findlay. Over 75 percent of residents lost power during this event. Power was not completely restored in Hancock County till July 6th. Hundreds, if not thousands of trees were downed across the county along with many utility poles forcing the closure of dozens of roads and streets. Damage to homes and buildings was also extensive. In Findlay alone, 464 structures were damaged by the strong winds. Of these, one building was destroyed with 15 other sustaining major damage and 43 with significant damage. Much of this damage was from lost roofing or siding. At least four semi trucks were blown over on Interstate 75 to the south of Findlay. Clean up costs were extensive. The clean up was hampered by an ongoing heat wave with afternoon temperatures as warm as 100 degrees. Significant crop losses are also expected. Damage from this storm was comparable to the remnants of Hurricane Ike in September 2008.

Thunderstorm winds toppled several utility poles and knocked down several power lines north of Findlay.

Thunderstorm winds downed a few large tree limbs and downed two power lines.

A cluster of thunderstorms produced estimated wind gusts of 60mph to 65mph. Numerous trees and large tree branches were downed in the area. Power outages resulted from downed powerlines.

Thunderstorm winds downed large trees and power lines.

An automated sensor at the Findlay Airport measured a 78 mph thunderstorm wind gust. The strong winds downed dozens of trees and large limbs in the Findlay area south through the Arlington area. A large tree crushed a house on County Road 172 southeast of Findlay. Scattered power outages were reported.

An automated sensor at the Findlay Airport measured a 78 mph thunderstorm wind gust. The strong winds downed dozens of trees and large limbs in the Findlay area south through the Arlington area. A large tree crushed a house on County Road 172 southeast of Findlay. Scattered power outages were reported.

A strong cold front moved across Hancock County during the late morning hours of December 9th. Southwest winds behind the front rapidly increased. By midday, wind gusts were in excess of 40 mph. Gusts increased further during the early afternoon hours. A peak gust of 61 mph was measured at the Findlay Airport 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 Hancock 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 Hancock County during the evening of February 11th. West to southwest winds gusted to more than 60 mph behind the front. A peak gust of 72 mph was measured at the Findlay Airport at 11:15 pm. Winds finally diminished a few hours before daybreak on the 12th. Hundreds of trees and 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.

An automated wind sensor at the Findlay Airport measured a 58 mph wind gust at 5:00 pm. A few trees and large limbs were downed. A few small power outages were also reported.

Precipitation began during the early morning hours of the 19th as mainly sleet across the area. Sleet quickly transitioned over to freezing rain and persisted for several hours during the morning. Around a quarter inch of ice was reported throughout the county, but as temperatures continued to warm up the freezing rain transitioned to rain, especially over the southern half of the county. Due to temperatures being close to freezing and then above freezing during this event, impacts on major roadways and power lines was minimal. A few accidents were reported across the area.

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. A peak gust of 65 mph was measured by an automated sensor at the Findlay Airport at 4:54 PM EDT. 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. Home and building damage across the county was also extensive. The damage ranged from a few shingles torn off to significant structural damage caused by fallen trees landing on roofs. Awnings and gutters were torn off of a few buildings, including a gas station. 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. Significant crop losses occurred as well. Corn and soybean yields were reduced between 3 and 5 percent in many areas.

Trees and power lines were reported down in Findlay.

Snow began in Hancock 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. Up to a quarter inch of ice accumulation and over 6 inches of snow was reported over most of the county. A cooperative observer in Findlay measured a storm total of 10.3 inches of snow. Many accidents and a few power outages were reported.

Trees and large limbs, along with power lines, were reported down.

Observed winds as the severe thunderstorms moved through the area were estimated at 60 mph. Numerous trees, large limbs, utility poles, and power lines were downed.

A few large limbs and power lines were reported down.

Numerous trees and power poles were blown down. A semi truck was also blown over from thunderstorm winds.

Winds around 60 mph were reported in Findley as thunderstorms moved through the county. Numerous trees, large limbs, and power lines were down across the county from Arcadia south to Vanlue.

A line of severe thunderstorms moved across Hancock County and downed dozens of trees. Scattered power outages were also reported. A few homes and vehicles were damaged by fallen trees and flying debris. Most of this damage occurred in the southern half of the county.

Thunderstorm winds downed many trees and at least two power poles across the county.

Thunderstorm winds downed several large tree limbs and snapped a power pole.

Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power poles in Van Lue, Van Buren, Shawtown and Jackson Township.

Thunderstorm winds downed several trees and power poles approximately one mile north of Mount Cory.A nearby mobile home was moved three feet off of it's foundation. A roof was also blown off of a barn.