The Van Wert County EMA shared photographs of storm damage on a Facebook post following a windstorm Monday evening.
Courtesy of Van Wert County EMA’s Facebook page
VAN WERT — Around 3:33 p.m. Monday afternoon, the Van Wert County EMA informed the media of a severe thunderstorm warning within the county. According to the Van Wert County EMA’s Facebook page, there was damage in Convoy, Ohio following the high winds. Van Wert County EMA Director Rick McCoy weighed in.
“Just looking at the radar, we had a small line of storms coming in from the west,” said McCoy. “We had an individual storm coming up from the south which sort of merged with this other line of storms. The two of them came together just southwest of the village of Convoy. That caused the damage that occurred.”
McCoy said the damage was about a block wide.
“The internet went out at exactly 3:02 p.m. so we knew that is when it hit,” said McCoy. “The wind had quickly picked up at the Convoy Fire Station hitting 57 miles per hour then the power went out. We don’t know how high it went at that location but I was estimating winds probably around 80 miles per hour.”
The Van Wert County EMA’s Facebook page shared pictures from the high winds. Residents in the area shared their experiences and pictures as well. One resident, Kylie Mills, commented on the post, saying the wind storm began just as the school day was ending. Resident Jessie Wallis said on the post, “It was really scary watching all the kids run for the buses. One girl lost a battle with her umbrella.”
The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department created a report of Monday’s event. The department was reportedly contacted at least three times for damage within the area. According to the department’s Facebook post, the department received reports of a utility pole falling on a vehicle that was occupied. There were reportedly no injuries. A trampoline was reportedly blown into a vehicle causing damage. The post also reported there were several trees down throughout the area.
The watch was in effect until 6 p.m. Monday evening. According to McCoy, the area’s power was restored around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday. McCoy also said he has witnessed high winds in February one other time in 1991.
The NOAA’S (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) National Weather Service listed these reports of damage on its website:
• Around 8 p.m., 1 West Convoy, a power pole reportedly fell on a car.
• Around 8:05 p.m., Convoy, the Convoy Fire Department reported there was roof damage to buildings and homes.
• Around 8:52 p.m., 2 Northeast Beaverdam, a resident reported tree damage to a roof.
• Around 8:59 p.m., 2 Southwest Bluffton, a resident reported a few pine tree limbs were broken and fell onto I-75.
• Around 9:05 p.m., 2 North McComb Hancock, a utility pole reportedly was ‘snapped.’
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
