Heavy storm damage reported in Galion and Hayesville; flash flood watch in effect

MANSFIELD — Fallen trees and power lines, flooded roads and power outages have been reported throughout the area after a strong line of storms moved across the state Sunday afternoon.

A flash flood watch went into effect at 4 p.m. Sunday and remains in effect until 7 a.m. Monday morning for parts of northern and north central Ohio.

Damage was spread across the area Sunday night, from Galion to Hayesville.

Tom Kosht lives in a two-story white farmhouse on Ohio 60 just north of Hayesville with his wife and 90-year-old father.

Kosht grew up in the house but moved back in about three years ago to care for his father.

He and his wife were in Mansfield when the storm hit and didn't know anything about the storm damage to the house until they got home.

"Come back, and tree's in the driveway, and the roof's off," he said. "It sucked the back windows out of the garage. It sucked the one door off."

Kosht's father, Gerald, and his dogs were home, but no one was injured. Gerald Kosht didn't even know the roof was taken off, his son said.

A blue tarp held down with two-by-fours covers the roof. A tree in the front yard stands with broken branches, limbs scattered on the ground. The home lost its electricity.

But Kosht is trying to remain optimistic.

"At least I've got firewood this winter," he said of the fallen trees on his property.

And the community is helping him, with dozens of friends, family members and other residents coming out Sunday night to help find a temporary fix for the damage, offer a place to stay or just pray.

Ashland's Cross Connect Church lead pastor Tommy Theisen said the local Home Depot donated all the supplies when a manager heard why they were needed.

"They donated supplies when they saw a family in need, and that's pretty remarkable," said Theisen, who led the group in prayer after the tarp was secured on the roof.

Kosht said he appreciates his community and the support they're providing.

"There are advantages to living in small communities and stuff because a lot of people do come together and help out and stuff, so it's nice," he said. "And the way the world's going nowadays, it's nice that people help others out."

In Galion, the Galion Police Department reported heavy damage and destroyed homes and businesses on its Facebook page.

The department stated it is unknown if a tornado touched down in the area. 

The American Red Cross is coming in to assess damages and will let the police department know if a shelter will be set up, according to the Facebook post.

The police department recommends no driving in the city due to down trees and power lines and flooded streets.

The National Weather Service reports several trees, limbs and power lines down in Galion, with some possible structure damage.

In Ashland County, the National Weather Service reports roofs were ripped off homes in the Hayesville area around Ohio 60. 

Richland County Emergency Management Agency director Mike Bailey reported trees and wires down and roads flooded across Richland County.

Bailey said Springfield Township and Shiloh are reporting several downed trees and power lines. Flooded roads include portions of Ohio 97 near Bellville and Lexington-Ontario Road, Bailey said.

He said no injuries have been reported due to the storm in Richland County.

Bailey recommended residents remain cautious and alert, as the weather conditions can change rapidly.

"If you are out driving, be very careful of wires hanging down or water standing in the roadway," he said.

In Monroeville in Huron County, the National Weather Service reports several trees and power lines down near Pontiac Line and Terry roads.

In Willard, trees are down on Niver Road east of Egypt Road, and power lines were sheared with several 30-foot-diameter grain bins and aluminum sheds damaged on Ohio 162 west of Steuben.

In Wakeman, a large tree fell on a car.

Power outages are also reported throughout the area.

As of 10 p.m., there were 218 Ohio Edison customers in Richland County without power, including 114 in Mansfield,67 in Springfield Township and 19 in Troy Township.

Other local Ohio Edison customers without power include 2,823 in Huron County, including 653 in Wakeman Township, 605 in Bronson Township, 471 in Wakeman and 429 in Clarksfield Township.

In Ashland County, 72 customers are without power, and in Crawford County, 47 are without power.

As of 10 p.m., AEP Ohio customers without power include 405 in Richland County, 100 in Crawford County and 51 in Huron County.

There are no estimated restoration times for any of the outages.

Ohio counties in the flash flood watch include Richland, Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Morrow, Knox, Medina, Wayne, Marion, Holmes, Summit, Portage, Trumbull, Stark, Mahoning, Wyandot, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula and Erie.

According to the National Weather Service, excessive rainfall may lead to flash flooding of streams, low-lying spots and poor drainage areas, especially in urban and hilly locations. 

The National Weather Service calls flash flooding "a very dangerous situation" and encourages drivers not to drive through standing water.

Campers along area streams and rivers should be especially cautious, as streams and rivers can rise to dangerous levels very quickly, the National Weather Service reported.

The heavy rain is because of a slow-moving cold front traveling across the region late Sunday into Monday, according to the National Weather Service. 

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov for more updates.

ejmills@mansfieldnewsjournal.com

419-521-7205

Twitter: @EmilyMills818