Thunderstorm Wind in Geauga County, Ohio

Trees and power poles downed throughout the county from thunderstorm winds of 60 to 80 mph. A 55 year old female was killed at Punderson State Park in Newbury Township when a 40 foot tree fell on her camper and crushed it. Twelve other campers in the park were severely damaged. A tree fell on a house in Newbury Township and destroyed the living, family and dining rooms. Dozens of trees were downed in Bainbridge where one house received extensive damage from a fallen tree. Dozens of trees and power poles were also downed in Burton Village and Chardon. A boat was overturned and destroyed in Chardon and several homes were damaged by fallen trees.

Thunderstorm downburst winds gusted to as much as 85 mph and caused extensive damage across the southern tier of townships in Geauga County. Sporadic damage was also reported further north in the county. The damage began west of Bainbridge at the county line and continued east to the Parkman area. The damage was most concentrated in the Bainbridge area. Hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted and many utility poles were damaged. Many homes lost roofing or siding and several others were damaged by fallen trees. There were reports of road closures because of fallen trees and lines. A tower at the Auburn Township Fire Department was toppled by the strong winds. Just to the east in Troy Township, a moving vehicle was struck by a falling tree trapping the occupant. No serious injuries were reported. Power outages were widespread and in some cases took several days to be restored. Some of the school districts in Geauga County closed on November 6th because of power outages.

A thunderstorm downburst heavily damaged a private school building along U.S. Route 322 east of Chesterland. Winds estimated to be at least 70 mph caused the roof above the gymnasium to collapse. Trees and limbs were downed in the same area. No injuries were reported.