CLEVELAND — More than 260,000 customers remain without power Thursday following a round of severe weather that moved across northern Ohio Tuesday afternoon, which produced at least two tornadoes and damage to several communities.
As of 8 a.m. Thursday, more than 175,000 were without power in Cuyahoga County alone. To the west in Lorain County, more than 14,000 were without power. Meanwhile, to the east, Lake County had more than 42,000 without power while Geauga County still had over 22,000. You can see the latest power outage numbers here.
Reports of damage began after 4 p.m. Tuesday, starting in the suburbs west of Cleveland. Just west of the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the National Weather Service had received reports of power poles and lines down, with people trapped in vehicles covered by downed lines.
Extensive tree and power line damage has been reported near the Shoppes at Parma shopping center, 10 miles southwest of Cleveland.
Parma MetroHealth Medical Center had power restored and will open offices Thursday except for the OR. The center also had to close Wednesday because of a power outage. Officials said appointments will be rescheduled to telehealth.
Damage was reported to a fire station in Willoughby Hills where the roof was reportedly ripped off by strong winds.
Officials in the city of Euclid are asking people to avoid traveling in the community for the next 24 hours. Police said dozens of streets are impassible with downed trees and power lines blocking the roads. Flooding has also closed several streets.
"You have no business visiting Euclid unless you live here," said Euclid Police Capt. Mitch Houser. He called the damage the worst he's seen in more than 20 years.
