Powerful winds swept across Ohio this weekend, causing widespread damage, power outages and travel disruptions across much of northeast Ohio. The gusty winds will continue today as another high wind advisory is in effect.
The strongest wind gust recorded Friday reached 85 miles per hour at Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport, setting a new record for the strongest gust ever recorded there. The previous record of 79 miles per hour was set during a microburst in August 2024.
The wind caused significant problems across the region. At Akron-Canton Airport, dozens of vehicles parked in airport lots reportedly had windows blown out by powerful gusts during the storm.
The high winds also caused dangerous travel conditions. In northwest Ohio, a semi-truck was blown over while crossing the Veterans Glass City Skyway bridge in Toledo, where crosswinds exceeded 60 miles per hour.
Across northeast Ohio, the wind knocked down trees and power lines, leaving thousands without electricity. In Akron, city officials say crews and utility workers have been working around the clock to restore power and clear debris from roadways.
As of 8 a.m. Monday, Summit County reportedly had 2,700 outages. The hardest hit areas are in Cuyahoga and Lake counties, where tens of thousands of people are without electricity. Restoration efforts are continuing with all available crews and FirstEnergy hopes to have much of the area’s power restored by 11 p.m.
The storm also impacted parks and wildlife areas. Ohio State Parks officials say downed trees and power outages have temporarily disrupted services in some parks, and some weekend events may be cancelled while cleanup continues.
The wind even affected wildlife. In Akron, observers reported a bald eagle nest destroyed by the storm, with the nesting tree blown down during the high winds.
Meteorologists say Friday’s storm will likely be remembered as one of the windiest days in Ohio in recent years, with multiple locations reporting gusts over 70 miles per hour.
Cleanup efforts continue across the region, and officials are reminding residents to stay clear of downed power lines and use caution around storm debris.
