Storms fire up | heat on way to New London | NLPD provides case update | Richland bear | fatal crash in region
By David Jacobs
Storms fire up in New London region
A severe thunderstorm swept through southeastern Huron County Wednesday afternoon, bringing damaging winds and hail to the New London region, the National Weather Service in Cleveland reported.
The storm, first detected at 1:51 p.m. over New London -- approximately 15 miles north of Ashland -- was moving east at 30 mph and packed wind gusts up to 60 mph, along with penny-sized hail, per radar.
New London police reported no immediate damage.
"Huron County Emergency Management Agency received a report of a funnel cloud in the area of State Route 113 and State Route 99, along the Erie & Huron county lines shortly before 4 p.m.," the agency said in an update Wednesday.
This report was quickly relayed to the National Weather Service in Cleveland and the Erie County Emergency Management Agency, the post added.
"Outdoor warning sirens were not activated in Huron County since the threat had moved into Erie County at the time the report was received," the Huron County EMA said.
Damage reports were coming in on Wednesday night from a second round of storms that moved through the region, triggering tornado warnings in Crawford County and Huron County, leading to power outages in Richland County, where tree damage also was reported.
No tornado had been confirmed as of early Thursday by the National Weather Service.
Firelands Electric Cooperative crews were working through the night to restore power to customers, the cooperative reported.
"Storms containing wind gusts exceeding 60 mph blew through Firelands Electric Cooperative's service territory around 8:20 p.m.," it posted on its Facebook page Wednesday night. "These strong storms caused extensive damage to trees, power lines, and equipment."
Firelands dispatched multiple crews to respond to several widespread outages affecting over 250 member-consumers located in portions of Huron, Ashland, and Richland counties, the post added.
Outage updates are available here.
In Holmes County, State Route 520 was closed at Township Road 31 due to a tree across the roadway, the sheriff's office reported late Wednesday. Also, Township Road 312 was closed for a similar issue. Several power outages were reported by the sheriff's office there.
Strong winds were reported in Findlay, where damage was reported outside the city police department. SEE PHOTO HERE
The first round of storms featured an afternoon storm warning. The weather service issued the severe thunderstorm warning for the New London region, which remained in effect until 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Areas impacted by the storm included Huron County’s New London and Greenwich, along with nearby communities in southwestern Lorain, northwestern Ashland, and southwestern Medina counties.
Grafton, Wellington, Sullivan, Lagrange, Penfield, Pittsfield, Spencer, Rochester, and Nova were also within the warning zone.
Radar indicated the storm’s intensity, and the National Weather Service warned residents to expect damage to trees and power lines.
As of Wednesday afternoon, officials were on the lookout for damage to trees and power lines.
Residents were advised to seek shelter in interior rooms on the lowest floor of a building during the storm.
The severe weather was part of a broader pattern affecting north central and northeastern Ohio, with the National Weather Service monitoring additional storm activity throughout the day.
Temperatures set to rise
Meanwhile, heat is on the way to the community, where it’s been a generally cool and wet spring.
"A strong upper-level ridge of high pressure will build over the Ohio Valley this weekend into early next week and bring a heat wave across the region," the National Weather Service said in a statement.
"Afternoon temperatures will climb into the lower and middle 90s Sunday through Tuesday. Heat indices will approach 100 to 103 degrees. Daily record high temperatures may be possible early next week,” the statement added.
Daily high temperatures in the village are forecast at 92 on Sunday, 94 on Monday, and 92 on Tuesday under sunny skies, per early projections.
New London village does not have a municipal swimming pool, but swimming is available at New London Reservoir. "SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK NO LIFEGUARDS ON DUTY," the village website states.
Further details, including pricing, are available by CLICKING HERE.
COMMUNITY
An update from New London village government: "The Huron County treasurer's office will be at the New London Village Office accepting Property tax payments Wednesday, June 25, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m."
NEW LONDON LAW ENFORCEMENT
Report completed on firearm call
The report has been completed on this New London police call log from earlier this spring via an official village PD update at the time: “April 24, 5:37 p.m. Officers and a Huron County Sheriff's deputy were dispatched to the area of Shadyside Ave. and W. Main St. for report of a disturbance involving a man with a gun. The suspect was arrested for aggravated menacing. Additional charges were later filed after it was discovered the firearm had been discharged into an occupied vehicle at the scene.”
No injuries were reported in the April 24 incident.
A store is in that area and the incident did occur during normal store hours, New London Police Chief Joe Hicks reported this past week.
"The exact location of the incident was the far northeast corner of the parking lot furthest from the store’s entrance," he said. "It’s typically not as congested in that area. Based on the investigation, we have no reason to believe community members would have been targeted at random by the suspect."
"The victim and suspect were acquaintances who had been feuding leading up to the shooting incident. We feel this was an isolated incident and that New London is a very safe community to live in," Chief Hicks added.
REGION
Rare bear sighting in Richland County
RICHLAND COUNTY -- A bear that died as a result of a collision with a pickup truck over the weekend in Perry Township involved only the fifth black bear sighting in Richland County since the early 1990s, the Ohio Division of Wildlife reported Tuesday.
"Black bears are rare in Ohio and are considered endangered in the state," the division reports.
The 18-year-old pickup truck driver was not injured in the crash that occurred at 7:01 a.m. June 14 on State Route 546 near Black Road, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
"Due to the injuries sustained to the bear, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources was contacted and the bear had to be euthanized on scene," the patrol said in a statement.
The 2021 Dodge Ram pickup truck was pulling a livestock trailer northbound on State Route 546. The bear entered State Route 546 from the west when it was struck, the patrol said.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources officers took the bear from the scene.
Troopers from the Mansfield post responded to the crash.
"Wildlife experts determined the bear had to be euthanized at the scene because of the injuries it sustained," the division noted.
The Ohio wildlife division tracks black bear sightings. "By reporting your sightings, you can help researchers better understand black bear populations, their habitat preferences, and how far they travel," it said in a statement.
Report black bear and other rare wildlife sightings here, the division noted via social media: https://ow.ly/Ct6G50WaS6g
REGION
1 dead, 2 injured in Seneca County head-on crash
SENECA COUNTY -- A head-on crash on State Route 18 in Loudon Township, Seneca County, killed one person and injured two others Wednesday afternoon, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported.
David A. Yates, 61, of Tiffin, was pronounced dead at the scene near County Road 5, the patrol said.
Yates was driving a 2009 white Ford Escape west on State Route 18 about 2:56 p.m. That vehicle crossed the center line and traveled into the eastbound lane, striking an eastbound blue 2024 Chevy Silverado driven by Deanna R. Sleek, 59, of Fostoria, in a head-on collision, the patrol said.
Sleek was transported to Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, where she is listed in stable condition with serious injuries. Her front-seat passenger, Albert F. Sleek, 52, of Fostoria, sustained serious injuries, the patrol said. He was taken to Mercy Health-Tiffin Hospital and is listed in stable condition, the patrol stated.
Yates was not wearing a seat belt, the patrol noted. The Sleeks were.
Troopers from the Norwalk post in Huron County are leading the ongoing investigation.
The patrol was assisted at the scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Bascom Fire Department, Bascom EMS, Mercy Health Life Flight, Seneca County Emergency Response, and John’s Welding and Towing.
NEW LONDON WEATHER
New London forecast (Live updates)
For regular updates, including articles that are not emailed, CLICK HERE or go to newlondonnewsroom.substack.com
Reporter David Jacobs can be reached at davidjacobs@shelbynewsreporter.com
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