Funnel clouds, high winds up to 70 mph sweep area

6/7/2008

Several funnel clouds and winds of up to 70 mph were reported in northwest Ohio last night as a storm knocked out power for much of the Toledo area and trapped two Putnam County firefighters, authorities said.

Funnel clouds were reported in Van Wert County starting at 8:15 p.m., three miles south of U.S. 224. At least one other was reported north of Van Wert. Other sightings were reported near Route 20 in Fulton County about 9:15 p.m. and Ottawa County about 9:45 p.m. The number confirmed was unknown.

Two firefighters in Putnam County's village of Continental were trapped in a fire rig about 9:15 p.m. as winds blew a tree limb onto the vehicle.

In Fulton County, winds blew off roofs about 9:15 p.m. In Lucas County's Providence Township, the roof of at least one house was split by a tree. A roof was reported off a house near U.S. 20 and Fulton County Road.

The storm weakened as it swept eastward, minutes after Lucas County's tornado sirens sounded about 9:17 p.m., the National Weather Service said.

A Toledo police officer was struck by flying debris on Judge Drive in South Toledo about 9:33 p.m., according to a report over a police scanner.

The storm damaged transformers near Talmadge Road and Sylvania Avenue. Westfield Franklin Park went dark about 9:45 p.m., as did parts of Northwood and Perrysburg.