Overnight Storm Knocks Out Power, Topples Trees Across Ashland County
State Route 60 temporarily closed as city, county, utility and private tree-service crews respond to widespread damage
ASHLAND COUNTY — Residents across Ashland County awoke Tuesday morning to power outages, fallen trees and scattered property damage after a powerful line of thunderstorms swept through the area overnight.
Ashland County and City of Ashland crews joined state workers, utility personnel and private tree-service companies Tuesday morning in clearing roads, removing damaged trees and responding to storm-related problems throughout the community.
The National Weather Service in Cleveland issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning shortly after midnight for northeastern Ashland County and portions of several surrounding counties.
At 12:13 a.m., radar showed severe thunderstorms stretching from near New London to near Polk and moving northeast at approximately 45 mph. Forecasters warned of wind gusts reaching 60 mph, strong enough to damage trees and power lines.
That warning proved accurate as emergency dispatchers began receiving calls about fallen trees, downed power lines and branches blocking roadways.
State Route 60 closed by tree and power lines
One of the most noteworthy incidents occurred shortly after midnight on state Route 60 near Ashland County Road 1775.
According to Ashland County Sheriff’s Office dispatch records, a large tree fell across state Route 60 just south of the County Road 1775 intersection. Multiple power lines were also down across the highway in a curve.
The Ohio Department of Transportation and Ohio Edison were notified. Deputies assisted with traffic control, and state Route 60 was reported closed at approximately 1:40 a.m.
ODOT was already handling numerous calls throughout the county and was temporarily unavailable for another fallen tree reported later on state Route 179.
City of Ashland sees trees, wires and traffic signals down
The City of Ashland also experienced numerous storm-related problems as police, fire and street department crews responded to fallen trees, power outages and downed utility lines.
Shortly after 12:18 a.m., a large tree limb was reported in the roadway near Good Shepherd Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation at 622 Center Street. The Ashland Street Department was contacted to provide barricades.
At nearly the same time, an Ashland police officer discovered a tree blocking the roadway at Center and East Washington streets. The Street Department was contacted and arrived to begin removing the obstruction.
At approximately 12:34 a.m., a large tree limb was reported blocking Smith Road near the 1385 block. An officer was able to clear most of the limbs before advising the Street Department about the remaining debris.
Utility damage was reported at approximately 12:49 a.m. near 419 Sandusky Street, where a line broke away from a house. Ohio Edison was contacted.
Moments later, police reported that homes and businesses west of Sandusky Street along Cottage Street were without power.
The outages also affected traffic signals. At approximately 1:19 a.m., police reported that the traffic lights at Union Street and East Ninth Street were out. The Street Department was notified that temporary stop signs were needed at the intersection.
At approximately 1:49 a.m., a tree was reported blocking three-quarters of the roadway near Cleveland Avenue and East Third Street. The tree was located on a blind corner, prompting a resident to remain at the scene to warn approaching drivers until crews could respond. No utility lines were believed to be involved.
Shortly before 2 a.m., wires were reported down on top of two vehicles near 417 East Fourth Street. The lines were not arcing or sparking, and power remained on in the surrounding area.
Authorities initially believed the wires belonged to Armstrong, but company representatives later determined they were not cable lines. Frontier was then contacted and advised that a technician would be sent to the scene.
At approximately 5:26 a.m., an energized power line was reported down and separated from a house near 229 East 12th Street. Ohio Edison was contacted, and the Ashland Fire Division also responded. Dispatch records indicated that the utility company was still operating in “storm mode” because of the number of weather-related calls.
Later Tuesday morning, a telephone line was reported down across the roadway near 862 East Bank Street. The line was creating a traffic hazard and slowing vehicles. Police contacted Armstrong, and the road was reopened shortly before 7:46 a.m.
Trees and branches reported across county
At approximately 12:26 a.m., deputies encountered another fallen tree on U.S. Route 250 near Clear Creek Township Road 1006.
Shortly before midnight, a tree was reported blocking the roadway near state routes 3 and 97. ODOT and the Ohio State Highway Patrol were notified.
At approximately 12:57 a.m., tree branches were reported down near 813 Ashland County Road 1302. Deputies requested assistance from the county, including equipment capable of cutting and removing the tree. Deputies remained in the area to help control traffic until county crews arrived.
At approximately 1:32 a.m., another tree was reported partially blocking the northbound lane of U.S. Route 42 near Ashland County Road 601. ODOT and the Highway Patrol were contacted.
Additional storm-related incidents included:
A tree or debris blocking one lane near the 1600 block east of County Road 1095 shortly before 2 a.m.
A small branch on Ashland County Road 2175 near state Route 60 at approximately 2:26 a.m. A deputy removed it from the roadway.
A branch blocking County Road 224 east of County Road 58 at approximately 2:30 a.m. An Ashland County sheriff’s deputy removed the branch.
A branch in the 1900 block of County Road 1215 shortly before 3 a.m. A deputy removed it from the roadway.
Another branch in the 1800 block of County Road 1035 shortly after 3 a.m. It was also removed by a deputy.
Driver strikes tree on state Route 179
One of the most serious incidents occurred shortly after 4 a.m. on state Route 179 north of state Route 95, where a driver struck a large tree lying across the roadway.
According to the Sheriff’s Office report, the incident was classified as a property-damage crash involving a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. The driver had continued to his workplace before contacting authorities.
A second caller later reported that the large tree remained across the highway. ODOT arrived shortly after 5 a.m. and removed it. A deputy followed up with the driver and completed a crash report.
No injuries were listed in the dispatch report.
Cleanup continues after daylight
At approximately 5:31 a.m., a tree was reported covering about three-quarters of state Route 302 between township roads 851 and 875. The tree was near the 800 block of state Route 302.
ODOT arrived shortly after 6:15 a.m., and the roadway was reported cleared by approximately 6:30 a.m.
At 6:30 a.m., another tree was found blocking County Road 101 north of County Road 700. An Ashland County sheriff’s deputy was able to remove the debris and reopen the roadway.
The cleanup continued in Polk after daylight. At approximately 7:22 a.m., a tree was reported completely blocking Roberts Street near Middle Street. Dispatchers were advised that no utility lines were down at that location. Deputies responded, and the tree was removed by approximately 7:56 a.m.
Utility hazards reported earlier Monday
Sheriff’s Office dispatch records also show that utility-related hazards were reported before the overnight storms arrived.
At approximately 10:51 a.m. Monday, a pole was reported leaning over Ashland County Road 1804 about 200 feet from County Road 655. The caller expressed concern that a large vehicle could strike it. Ohio Edison was notified and advised that a crew would respond.
At approximately 1:21 p.m. Monday, a pole was reported down near 1544 Ashland County Road 995. The pole was reportedly lying on top of a power line over the roadway, creating a hazard for larger vehicles. Deputies determined that the affected line belonged to Verizon, and the company was notified.
It was not immediately clear whether those earlier utility problems were connected to the weather system that produced the overnight storms.
The numerous calls kept Ashland police officers, Ashland Fire Department, Ashland County Sheriff’s Deputies, ODOT workers, city and county road crews, utility workers and private tree-service businesses busy throughout the night and into Tuesday morning.
Residents encountering downed power lines should stay well away from them and report the hazard to their utility provider or emergency dispatchers. Drivers should also use caution on city streets and rural roads, where additional branches or storm debris could remain near or on the pavement.
