November 5, 2017 Cleveland Suburb Downburst

Straight Line Wind Damage Confirmed From SE Lorain County to Southern Geauga County

Public Information Statement

Location...Southeastern Lorain County, Northern Medina County,
Southern Cuyahoga County, Northern Summit County, Northern Portage
County, and Southern Geauga County
Date...November 5, 2017 
Estimated Time...5:40 PM to 6:30 PM EST 
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...105 mph 
Maximum Path Width...7 miles 
Path Length...58 miles
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 determined that 
the damage from Southeast Lorain County to Southern Geauga County 
Ohio on November 5, 2017 was thunderstorm straight line wind 
damage from a series of microbursts or macrobursts.

A squall line moving west to east produced significant straight- 
line wind damage in southeastern Lorain County, northern Medina 
County, southern Cuyahoga County, northern Summit County, northern
Portage County, and southern Geauga County. Based upon the damage
received in these locations and radar data, it is determined that
a downburst produced winds up to 105 mph through the affected 
area.

Wind damage was reported as far west as Lagrange, Grafton, and
Columbia in southeastern Lorain County with trees and power poles
downed. The microburst wind continued east into northern Medina 
county, where significant tree and power pole damage was noted in
Liverpool Township and the Brunswick Hills areas. Damage in 
Cuyahoga County was mainly limited to south of State Route 82 in 
Strongsville, North Royalton, Broadview Heights, and Brecksville. 
There was extensive tree damage to these areas with many trees 
snapped or uprooted to the east, some falling into homes and cars. 

The damaging winds continued into northern Summit County.
Significant damage, mainly from falling trees, was noted in 
northern Richfield, Sagamore Hills, Northfield Center, Macedonia 
and Reminderville. 

The most intense damage from this event appears to be in the 
Twinsburg area in Summit County. Widespread tree damage occurred 
with trees falling onto residences and cars across the city. 
Siding was peeled from homes. East of Twinsburg, damage occurred 
across the county line in Aurora. An automated wind sensor in 
Aurora measured a peak wind gust of 105 mph. Trees and power poles
were downed across the area; with the bulk of the damage occurring
along State Route 82 and north. There was also damage at Aurora 
High School with metal bleachers displaced at the athletic fields.
Mantua Township also suffered significant tree damage with 
several trees snapped and displaced to the east. 

Geauga County suffered extensive straight-line wind damage, mainly  
in the southern townships. Aside from the tree and power pole 
damage, a church steeple was toppled in Bainbridge Township and a 
fire department communications tower fell in Auburn Township. 
Trees fell onto several residences across this area as well.

The damage across all of the areas outlined above prompted school
closures for a number of school districts and numerous road
closures that have continued for several days. Power outages were
extensive.

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.

A macroburst is a convective downdraft with an affect outflow area
of at least 2 1/2 miles wide and peak winds lasting more than 5
minutes. Intense macrobursts may cause tornado-force damage of up
to EF3 intensity. Straight-line winds are generally any wind that
is not associated with rotation, used mainly to differentiate 
them from tornadic winds.

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NWS Cleveland