Storm aftermath, 7 photos | 1 tornado confirmed in region | Shelby City Council | 14 Shelby police reports | AI, agriculture

By David Jacobs

Jun 20, 2025

Damage reports were continuing to arrive Thursday evening from the strong storms that had powered through the region the previous night, as cleanup efforts continued.

Those included confirmed reports of a tornado with 100 mph winds that started about 15 miles north of New London and two separate tornadoes in Ottawa County. No injuries were reported. See full story here.

In Shelby, the city reported that on Wednesday night:

-- five electric service lines to homes were damaged from fallen limbs

-- a large limb fell onto some communication lines near the Mickey Road/Ashland Railway intersection (crossing)

-- A tree trimming crew was called in to remove the limb from the lines

In an update early Thursday afternoon on the storm damage from the previous night, Richland County EMA director Sarah Potes detailed:

-- reports of trees down throughout the county

-- no major damage to any structure has been reported to Richland County EMA

-- approximately 800 power outages in the Ontario area, and other areas experienced smaller outages (around 20 or less) on Wednesday night

-- The total county-wide outages were approximately 2,400 on Wednesday night

-- As of early Thursday afternoon, about 400 outages remained in the county, with most of the remaining areas having 20 households or fewer outages.

That outage number had been cut to 200 customers by about 10 p.m. Thursday. List: Ohio power outages

PHOTOS OF STORM DAMAGE IN REGION (Courtesy of Firelands Electric Cooperative). Crews worked through the night and on Thursday to restore service in its territory. See updates here. Firelands Electric serves members in the rural areas of Richland, Huron, Ashland, and Lorain counties.

SHELBY GOVERNMENT

Listen and watch as Matt Finfgeld, Richland County Board of Elections director, speaks to Shelby City Council. Finfgeld was asked by the legislation sponsor -- Councilman at-large Steve McLaughlin -- why the proposed ordinance is good for the citizens of Shelby.

Here is a clip (courtesy of the city of Shelby livestream).

Council held a first reading on Ordinance 15-2025, a proposed charter amendment to Section 53. If approved in subsequent readings, the change would be submitted to voters for ratification, the report shows.

This was earlier postponed. It involves the filing deadline for Shelby local elections and moving up the timeframe by 15 days (90 to 75). Council is being asked to send the matter to voters to decide. Passage of such legislation by the council is needed first.

HOT TEMPS ON WAY

“A strong upper-level ridge of high pressure will build over the Ohio Valley this weekend into early next week and be associated with a heat wave across the region,” the National Weather Service said in a statement. “Daily afternoon high temperatures will climb into the lower to middle 90s Sunday through Tuesday. Daily maximum heat indices will approach 100 to 105 degrees. Record warm high temperatures are possible early next week.”

Graphic courtesy of National Weather Service

A CLOSER LOOK

Shelby forecast (live updates)

Huron County region (live updates)

SHELBY

A total of 14 police reports were provided by Shelby police on Wednesday. They included two traffic crash reports. No injuries were reported. See details here.