Severe Thunderstorms Pummel Northern Ohio with Golf Ball-Sized Hail
Golf ball-sized hail and 60 mph winds batter Cleveland metro as multiple severe weather warnings sweep across northern Ohio counties.
CLEVELAND, OHIO — Severe thunderstorms swept across northern Ohio Tuesday evening, bringing golf ball-sized hail, damaging winds up to 60 mph, and flooding concerns to communities from the lakefront to rural counties.
The National Weather Service in Cleveland issued more than a dozen warnings between 4:51 p.m. and 5:38 p.m. as storms moved eastward at speeds up to 55 mph. The most dangerous system produced tennis ball-sized hail near South Russell in Geauga County, with warnings extending until 7:00 p.m.
Cleveland Metro Area Hit Hard
A severe thunderstorm located over Warrensville Heights at 5:07 p.m. threatened the Cleveland metropolitan area with tennis ball-sized hail and 60 mph winds. Locations impacted included Cleveland, Chardon, Cleveland Heights, Solon, Twinsburg, Warrensville Heights, Macedonia, South Russell, Middlefield, Garrettsville, Burton, Highland Hills, Chesterland, Shaker Heights, Maple Heights, South Euclid, Mayfield Heights, Aurora, Lyndhurst, and University Heights.
The weather service warned that people and animals outdoors would be injured by the large hail, with significant damage expected to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Tree and power line damage was also anticipated across the region.
Flooding Concerns in Multiple Counties
A flood advisory remained in effect until 8:45 p.m. for portions of north central and northeast Ohio, including Lorain and Cuyahoga counties. Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms had already produced 1 to 1.5 inches of rain by 5:35 p.m., with an additional 1 to 2 inches expected.
Communities experiencing flooding included Cleveland, Elyria, Parma, Lakewood, Euclid, Cleveland Heights, Strongsville, Westlake, North Royalton, North Ridgeville, Solon, Warrensville Heights, Amherst, Macedonia, and Grafton. Urban areas and small streams faced ponding and minor flooding conditions.
Widespread Regional Impact
The storm system affected multiple counties across northern Ohio. In Trumbull, Portage, Geauga, and southern Ashtabula counties, a severe thunderstorm near South Russell moved east at 40 mph with tennis ball-sized hail. Impacted areas included Warren, Cortland, South Russell, Middlefield, Garrettsville, Kinsman, North Bloomfield, Orwell, Burton, Andover, West Farmington, Chesterland, Vienna Center, Bristolville, Aurora, Parkman, Vienna, Huntsburg, Claridon, and Mecca.
Along Lake Erie, storms brought 60 mph winds to Huron and Erie counties. The cities of Sandusky, Western Vermilion, Bellevue, Clyde, Northern Milan, Milan, Castalia, Berlin Heights, Bloomingville, Sandusky South, Birmingham, Fairview Lanes, Whites Landing, and Vickery were in the storm’s path.
The National Weather Service advised residents to move indoors immediately when large hail and damaging winds approached their area. A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect until 9:00 p.m. for the region.
