COLUMBUS, Ohio – As utility crews work to restore power to thousands of customers who lost theirs during yesterday’s severe storms, weather service officials determined it was not a tornado that damaged a West Side building.
They announced that it was a microburst, with 95 mph winds, that hit the warehouse on Equity Drive at approximately 4:00 p.m.
According to a company press release, four workers at the Teleperformance facility were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Storms left tens of thousands of homes and businesses without power and caused some flash flooding concerns across the state.
At 11:00 a.m., approximately 18,000 American Electric Power customers in central Ohio were still without power, including 11,700 in Franklin County, and the company predicted that some people would not see electricity restored until Friday or Saturday.
The tentative restoration schedule, according to the utility’s website:
SW Columbus – 8:00 p.m. today
SE Columbus – Noon Friday
Delaware – 8:00 p.m. today
Columbus and communities north of I-70 – 100 percent restored by 11:00 p.m. tonight
Newark – Noon Saturday
At the height of the storm, more than 139,000 customers were without power, the hardest hit areas including the South Side of Columbus, Newark, western Ohio and Canton.
High winds damaged several buildings, including the new $7 million scoreboard at Ohio Stadium. A decorative pillar was blown off the top of the structure and debris was found beneath it, but officials said the electronics were still functioning and Athletic Director Gene Smith says it will be repaired for the upcoming season.
A tree fell into an apartment building on the East Side and one man was taken to the hospital after going into shock but only minor injuries were reported.
Forecasters say dry weather is on the way, a welcome relief from the heavy rains that have pounded Ohio this week.
The Ohio Department of Transportation says some roads are closed because of flooding:
Delaware County – R 229 closed at Horseshoe Road. Unknown when the road will reopen.
Madison County – US 62 west at Schadel Road in Mount Sterling.
Marion County –
SR 203 closed between SR 47 and SR 4.
SR 98 closed between Waldo-Fulton Road and Bethlehem Road.
Unknown when these roads will reopen.
SR 95 between the Marion City limit and SR 203
In eastern Ohio, officials say the building that housed the Mineral City Fire Department in Tuscarawas County was destroyed.
In downtown Cleveland, authorities say a small section of roofing blew off City Hall. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport reported flight delays, but no damage to aircraft.
In northwest Ohio, officials say a cargo train derailment may have been weather-related.
Between 40 and 45 cars from a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed between Bryan and Edgerton, near the Indiana state line, Don Bulla, deputy director of the Williams County Emergency Management Agency, said.
Railroad company spokesman Dave Pidgeon said the train was not carrying hazardous materials. It left from Harrisburg, Pa., and was headed to St. Louis.
-Story comiled from staff and wire reports