Severe Storms Bring Downed Power Lines, Hail to Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan
A line of strong thunderstorms swept through northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan Thursday evening, leaving a trail of downed power lines, localized flooding and reports of significant hail. As of late Thursday, tens of thousands of customers were without power across the region, and crews are working to assess the damage and restore service. While the most intense part of the storm has passed, lingering showers and the potential for localized flooding remain a concern overnight.
The National Weather Service had issued several severe thunderstorm warnings throughout the evening, but all active warnings have expired. However, the impact of the storm is still being felt by residents and emergency responders. The storms brought not only strong winds but also a significant amount of precipitation, leading to reports of roadway flooding, particularly in Lenawee County, Michigan, near Adrian College.
The severity of the storm varied across the region. Pea-sized hail was reported near Oak Harbor in Ottawa County, Ohio, around 6 p.m., with similar reports coming from Liberty Center and Perrysburg. Further inland, near Bryan, Ohio, and across Henry County, the hail grew larger, reaching quarter to golf ball size. This larger hail poses a risk to vehicles and property, and residents are advised to inspect for damage.
Widespread Power Outages Reported
The most significant impact of the storm appears to be the widespread power outages. As of 10:30 p.m. Thursday, approximately 44 customers near the Toledo Express Airport were without power due to a downed tree, with FirstEnergy estimating restoration by 10:30 p.m. In Grand Rapids, Ohio, just under 1,000 customers along McClure Road were experiencing outages, and the cause was still under investigation. Further west, near Paulding on State Route 111, nearly 60 customers near the Paulding County Emergency Hospital were without power, along with roughly 100 other customers throughout the county.
North of Bryan, in Pulaski, over 200 customers were facing outages, with an estimated restoration time of 11:30 p.m. Near Wauseon, approximately 80 customers were without power, and the cause remained unknown, with a projected restoration time also set for 11:30 p.m. Residents experiencing outages are encouraged to report them directly to their providers.
Here’s how to report an outage:
Live Coverage and Reporting
Storm chasers Corey Gerken and Brandon Copic are providing live coverage of the storm’s aftermath from roads across northwest Ohio. Their livestream can be viewed . Residents are also encouraged to submit photos and videos of storm damage to the WTOL 11 team by texting them to (419) 248-1100, along with their name and location.
WTOL 11 will continue to provide updates on damage reports, road closures, and safety alerts as the situation evolves. The focus now shifts to assessing the full extent of the damage and working towards restoring power to affected areas. Residents are urged to exercise caution, especially when traveling, and to be aware of potential hazards such as downed power lines and flooded roadways.
The immediate threat from severe thunderstorms has diminished, but the possibility of lingering showers and localized flooding remains. Crews will continue to work throughout the night to address the damage and restore services. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
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