Storms hit Northeast Ohio, knocking out power for thousands as tornado sirens ring out

Residents in Northern Ohio, including in Summit and Portage counties, should hunker down for the evening, as the area is under a severe thunderstorm watch .

According to the National Weather Service, the northern border of Portage County is under a tornado warning until 7 p.m. Northern Summit County was under a tornado warning earlier this evening.

Southern Summit County in northeastern Ohio was under a thunderstorm warning until 5:30 p.m.

Summit County is still under a severe thunderstorm watch until 7 p.m.

Power outages for FirstEnergy customers in Akron, Northeast Ohio on Wednesday

FirstEnergy is reporting that nearly 400,000 of its some 2 million Ohio customers are without power.

Some 7% of FirstEnergy customers in Summit County are without power. In Akron alone, 6% of customers there have lost power. The hardest-hit communities in Summit County appear to be Sagamore Hills Township, where 74% of customers are without electricity, followed by Boston Township, where 29% are impacted by the storms.

According to First Energy, around 2,820 people have reported power outages in Akron's Highland Square. Other hard hit communities include Copley Township, Cuyahoga Falls and Richfield.

The storms also impacted Medina County, where 6% of customers have lost power, with Medina, Montville Township and Wadsworth being hard hit. Some 57% of the customers in Wadsworth Township have lost power.

Portage County was hard hit by the storms. FirstEnergy said 11% of its customers there have lost power. The hardest hit communities include Aurora, Freedom Township and Garrettsville. The utility says 98% of Hiram is without power.

The winds knocked out power to roughly 13% of FirstEnergy customers in Wayne County, with Rittman being the hardest hit. Around 44% of customers there were impacted by the storms.

Hozier concert at Blossom still on, as of now

As of 6 p.m., Tuesday's Hozier concert at Blossom Music Center is still on, according to a social media post made by the venue, but there will be a delay.

"The storm continues to weaken and we’re getting ready for you, but just a couple of items before we get rolling. We are going to delay doors 30 minutes and open at 6:00 p.m. You’re welcome to make your way to the gates when you’re ready," the event venue said.

Hozier Fans, good news! The storm continues to weaken and we’re getting ready for you, but just a couple of items before...

Posted by Blossom Music Center on Tuesday, August 6, 2024

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Storms hit Northeast Ohio, knocking out power for thousands as tornado sirens ring out