November 5, 2017 Findlay Downburst

Straight Line Wind Damage Confirmed Near Findlay in Hancock County Ohio

Public Information Statement

Location...Findlay in Hancock County Ohio
Date...November 5, 2017
Estimated Time...4:05 PM EST
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...80-90 MPH
Fatalities...0
Injuries...0

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event(s) and publication in
NWS Storm Data.

...Summary...
The National Weather Service in Cleveland OH has confirmed Straight
Line Wind Damage near Findlay in Hancock County Ohio on November 
5, 2017.

A squall line moving in from the west produced significant
straight line wind damage on the northwest and north sides of
Findlay. The straight line wind damage began near an industrial
park on the northwest side of Findlay, west of Interstate 75.
Several industrial buildings suffered roof damage and, in turn,
prompted damage to exterior walls and garage doors. Winds
extended to the northeast where it damaged a restaurant at the 
end of a shopping plaza. From there, the damaging winds continued
to the northeast, crossing Interstate 75. Several light poles 
fell or were damaged at the athletic fields at Findlay High School
with one pole falling onto vehicles and into the school building.
The school sustained wind damage to the roof and several windows 
were blown out. Winds continued northeast to the Trenton Avenue 
area. The front facade of a restaurant was weakened and fell 
forward. Mobile homes and a couple local businesses sustained 
damage. A camper was rolled northeast into a building and a 
detached garage lost a roof. Northeast of the damage along Trenton
Avenue, miscellaneous tree damage was noted until reaching areas 
along Melrose and Crystal Avenues. A couple mobile homes were 
shifted and there was some siding and roof damage to an apartment 
complex. A large industrial building was damaged east of Crystal 
Road, the final piece of straight-line wind damage in the Findlay 
area. All of the damage described above was due to winds out of 
the west/southwest with wind speeds up to 90 mph.

This information can also be found on our website at
weather.gov/cle.

For reference:
A microburst is a convective downdraft with an affected outflow
area of less than 2 1/2 miles wide and peak winds lasting less
than 5 minutes. Microbursts may induce dangerous horizontal and
vertical wind shears, which can adversely affect aircraft
performance and cause property damage. Straight-line winds are
generally any wind that is not associated with rotation, used
mainly to differentiate them from tornadic winds.

$$

Mottice/Sefcovic