Storm brings wind, hail; power is lost

6/20/2001

A slow-moving storm crept across the region last night, dropping hail, uprooting trees, and downing power lines.

About 12,000 Toledo Edison customers lost power because of lightning, strong winds, heavy rain, and damaging hail.

The outages were in Sylvania, Holland, and West Toledo, said Chuck Dewitz, Toledo Edison area manager. Crews were working to restore power by morning.

“Lightning is the biggest culprit, but the hail also did a lot of damage,” Mr. Dewitz said.

A cold front curving across central Michigan pushed warm air down across northwest Ohio, triggering hail and high winds. The National Weather Service reported wind gusts up to 40 mph at Toledo Express Airport.

The storm formed in Indiana and headed northeast into Ohio. It cut into Lucas County before heading out over Lake Erie.

Swanton reported golf ball-sized hail, and smaller hail fell in West Toledo.

Delta police reported uprooted trees and downed power lines.