Power Outage in Norwalk, OH

An Arctic cold front swept through the area around 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 moderate snow occurred behind the front in the morning hours of December 23rd, with the snow becoming much lighter by midday. 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 40 MPH through the day. The peak measured gust in Huron County was 48 MPH at 3:00 PM December 23rd, measured on a mesonet station in Bellevue. At nearby airports a peak gust of 54 MPH was measured at Lorain County airport at 2:26 PM. 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. The Huron County Sheriff declared a Level 3 snow emergency around midday December 23rd, which closed all county roads to non-emergency travel. This was not lifted until the next morning. Wind chills plunged below 0 around 6 AM December 23rd and did not warm above 0 until the early morning hours of December 26th. A minimum wind chill of -36F was recorded on a mesonet station in Bellevue at 3:05 PM December 23rd. In response, a church was opened as a warming center in Bellevue. A number of burst pipes were reported across northern Ohio due to this cold, with temperatures remaining in the single digits until Christmas morning. A trained spotter measured 3.7��� of snow near New London from the storm.

Sixteen power poles were snapped along Sand Hill Ridge Road, about three-miles WSW of Monroeville.

Rain changed over to snow during the early afternoon hours of November 30 in North Central Ohio, as low pressure moved just east of the area. During the early morning hours of December 1, heavy, wet snow overspread the region with visibility dropping to one-quarter of a mile or less and snowfall rates up to one inch per hour. Travel was severely disrupted by this storm as heavy snow quickly accumulated on area roadways and any pre-treatment efforts were hampered by rain earlier on November 30. Due to the heavy, wet nature of the snow and only modest wind speeds of 10 to 15 mph, blowing and drifting snow was not a big issue during this event. However, snow easily collected on area trees, especially area evergreen trees, and the weight of the snow allowed for trees to fall onto area roads, power lines, and even some buildings. Schools and several businesses closed on December 1 and 2 due to the weather conditions. In Huron County, snowfall totals ranged from 6 to 7 inches of snow for the event. A peak total of 7.2 inches of snow was observed near New London. Other selected snowfall totals include: 7 inches in Norwalk and 6.6 inches in Bellevue.

Power pole downed across Wakeman Townline Road, near Crandall Road. Time estimated via radar.

Tree and power poles down where US-20 intersects Hartland Center Road and Derussey Road in Collins area.

Downed power poles and lines along Greenwhich Milan Town Line Road, near Fitchville.

Wind gusts estimated to be between 60 to 70 mph downed trees, large limbs and power lines throughout the county. Scattered power outages were reported.

A tree was blown down on a power line. A utility pole was snapped.

Several trees and power lines were blown down. A few roads were blocked by trees.

Trees and power lines were downed across the county. The roof of an apartment complex in Norwalk was partially damaged due to strong winds. Scattered power outages were also reported in the area.

An area of low pressure moved northeast across Ohio during the afternoon and evening hours of December 17th spreading rain across the area. As the low moved out over Lake Erie during the evening, a cold front moved east across northern Ohio. Enough cold air filtered into north central Ohio behind the front to cause the rain to change to freezing rain before it quit. This change occurred mainly west of the Interstate 71 corridor during the evening hours. A three to five hour period of freezing rain occurred from the Marion area northeast through the Bucyrus, Mansfield and Ashland areas to as far north as Sandusky, Lorain and Elyria. The first report of freezing rain occurred around 8 pm and the last around 3 am on the 18th. During that time more than a quarter inch of freezing rain was reported in nine counties, including Huron County. A few accidents and some power outages were reported during the event.

Wind gusts estimated to be at least 60 mph downed trees and large limbs throughout Huron County. Most of the damage was across the northern half of the county. Some 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 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. 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.

Thunderstorms wind gusts in excess of 60 mph caused considerable damage in Norwalk. Dozens of trees were downed and at least one home sustained structural damage. Over half of the city lost power from the storm.

High winds downed a few trees and power lines across Huron County. Some power outages were reported in the Wakeman area. Some homes lost sections of roofing or siding.

Thunderstorm downburst winds estimated to be at least 60 mph downed many trees and limbs in Norwalk. A vehicle accident on Washington Street was caused by one of the fallen trees. The driver was transported to a local hospital. Scattered power outages were reported in the city.

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 60 to 70 mph caused extensive damage in Norwalk. Dozens of trees were downed in the city. Several homes sustained damage, mainly from fallen trees and limbs. A few utility poles were snapped caused scattered power outages.

A few trees and power lines were downed.

A strong cold front moved across Huron County during the late morning hours of December 9th. Southwest winds behind the front rapidly increased with gusts in excess of 45 mph by early afternoon. Gusts continued to increase the remainder of the afternoon with peak gusts of around 60 mph reported during the late afternoon hours. Winds continued to gust to as much as 50 mph through 10 pm. The high winds downed a few trees and utility poles in Huron County. Scattered power outages were reported. Some homes and buildings in the county sustained minor damage. Most of this was from lost siding or roofing.

A strong cold front moved across Huron County during the evening of February 11th. West to southwest winds gusted to more than 60 mph behind the front. Winds finally diminished a couple hours before daybreak on the 12th. Hundreds 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. A large tree landed on a house in Norwalk and caused extensive damage. At least one school district had to delay the start of school because of the power outages.

Precipitation began in the form of snow and sleet during the overnight hours of the 19th. However, precipitation quickly changed over to freezing rain for a few hours around daybreak. Snowfall amounts didn't amount to much prior to the changeover, and trained spotters reported about a quarter inch of ice. Impacts across the area were minimal though as temperatures were only a degree or two below freezing prior to sunrise, then quickly rose above freezing in the morning causing the ice to melt. A few accidents were also reported, but no major power outages.

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 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 and soy bean yields were reduced between 3 and 5 percent in many areas.

A few large limbs and power lines were reported down.

Freezing rain began during the morning hours of March 4th. The freezing rain continued into the evening hours with a brief lull during the early afternoon hours. Conditions quickly deteriorated after sunset as surface temperatures dropped off a few degrees. Over a quarter inch of ice accumulation was reported by early evening. The freezing rain changed to sleet for a time during the evening and spotters in Norwalk reported between one and two inches of sleet accumulation. The precipitation eventually changed to light snow around midnight on the 5th. The snow finally ended around daybreak on the 5th. Many accidents and a few power outages were reported during this event. Some trees and limbs were reported down across the county as well.

Trees and power lines were reported down countywide. Also, numerous road signs were blown away.

Several trees and numerous power lines were reported down, mainly across the northern portion of the county.

Several trees were reported down, along with power lines.

A trained spotter estimated winds at 60 mph, with several trees and powers lines down.

Numerous trees and power lines downed by strong winds.

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

A line of severe thunderstorms moved east across Huron County early in the morning and caused widespread damage and scattered power outages. A 65 mph wind gust was measured near Norwalk at 4:30 a.m. Dozens of trees were downed across the county and at least three power poles were toppled near Bellvue. A home in Norwalk was heavily damaged by a fallen tree. A few homes and vehicles were also damaged in Bellevue.

The same thunderstorm that produced the deadly Seneca County tornado spawned another tornado in northwestern Huron County. This tornado touched down near the intersection of Young Road and State Route 4 southeast of Bellevue and northwest of Hunts Corners. The tornado moved northeast for around seven and a half miles before entering Erie County north of Monroeville near the intersection of Section Line Road and State Route 113. The tornado caused some damage in Lyme Township. The township hall and garage located on Young Road near Section Line Road were severely damaged. Trucks and other heavy equipment stored in the garage were destroyed. As the tornado continued northeast it destroyed a few barns and caused minor damage to some homes. Many trees and power poles were downed along the damage path which was mostly 25 to 50 yards in width.