Severe thunderstorms rolled through our viewing area Saturday evening, bringing heavy rain, wind and lightning and knocking out power to area residents.
In Toledo, burglar alarms were reported to be going off because of power surges and lightning strikes. The Mud Hens game was called early due to the storm.
One viewer says he saw lightning strike twice at Airport Highway and McCord about five minutes apart!
The witness tells 13abc that lightning struck the ground, causing sparks on the road and forcing a nearby driver of a car to swerve and stop. Nobody was hurt. About five minutes later, not in the exact same spot but very close, lightning hit the ground again! The man said he's never seen anything like it.
Toledo Edison reports nearly 5,000 customers without power in Lucas County. Another 2,500 are without power in Fulton County, and nearly 1,000 are in the dark in Defiance. A few hundred customers are affected in Ottawa, Wood, and Henry.
AEP reports over 1,700 have lost power in Allen County, along with several hundred in Wood, Hancock and Paulding.
In Bowling Green, The News Sentinel reports fairgoers at the Wood County Fair ran for shelter while food stand workers tried to salvage their stands as the storms rushed in.
Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn says a Gretchen Wilson concert at the fair was delayed until later in the evening, but he said fairgoers "are very patient and very pleased that we're going forward with the concert."
The sheriff says all paved areas are fine, and, although there was some standing water, there were no significant problems.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:50 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:50:34 GMT
Three suspects are still on the loose after an-early morning home invasion and murder in Waterville Township and investigators say the death of 34-year-old James Safadi was not a random act of violence.
Investigators say the home invasion death of 34-year-old James Safadi in Waterville was not a random act of violence. They believe the local business owner was targeted.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:01 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:01:59 GMT
A team that played football for years has reunited to pay tribute to their coach who died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.It was the fifth year for the Dave Calabrese Football Blitz, but
It was the fifth year for the Dave Calabrese Football Blitz, but the first without Calabrese, who died just days ago after a battle with ALS.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:57:12 GMT
While the most intense of the severe weather will be in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, it is possible that we could see some severe thunderstorms, as early as Monday night, especially west of the Toledo metro area.
While the most intense of the severe weather will be in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, it is possible that we could see some severe thunderstorms, as early as Monday night, especially west of the Toledo metro area.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:45:41 GMT
Nearly 100 Antique automobiles were on display Saturday in Archbold at the annual antique car gathering at Sauder Village.Car collectors showcased their vintage vehicles and talked about these unique cars.Vistors
Nearly 100 Antique automobiles were on display Saturday in Archbold at the annual antique car gathering at Sauder Village.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:37 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:37:55 GMT
Students at Lourdes University received their diplomas Saturday at a graduation ceremony.Sister Mary Soro-Siak and Owens-Illinois CEO Albert Stroucken received honorary doctoral degrees.Strouken also delivered
Students at Lourdes University received their diplomas Saturday at a graduation ceremony.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:50 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:50:34 GMT
Three suspects are still on the loose after an-early morning home invasion and murder in Waterville Township and investigators say the death of 34-year-old James Safadi was not a random act of violence.
Investigators say the home invasion death of 34-year-old James Safadi in Waterville was not a random act of violence. They believe the local business owner was targeted.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:52:31 GMT
LEXINGTON, Mich. (AP) - Carol Connell remembers well the gift she gave Sara Ylen, a friend seemingly forced to bear too much misery. Ylen, a Michigan mother of two young boys, said she was battling cancer
A Michigan mom who claimed to be battling cancer and a rape survior is being accused of fraud and her community is reeling.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:11 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:11:00 GMT
DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) - Witnesses in southwestern Virginia say a car has driven into a crowd at a festival parade. Several people appeared to be hurt, but the nature of their injuries wasn't immediately
An elderly driver plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Saturday parade in a small Virginia mountain town.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:01 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:01:59 GMT
A team that played football for years has reunited to pay tribute to their coach who died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.It was the fifth year for the Dave Calabrese Football Blitz, but
It was the fifth year for the Dave Calabrese Football Blitz, but the first without Calabrese, who died just days ago after a battle with ALS.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:57:12 GMT
While the most intense of the severe weather will be in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, it is possible that we could see some severe thunderstorms, as early as Monday night, especially west of the Toledo metro area.
While the most intense of the severe weather will be in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, it is possible that we could see some severe thunderstorms, as early as Monday night, especially west of the Toledo metro area.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:24 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:24:10 GMT
A Toledo man is accused of animal cruelty after he hit his pit bull with 2 by 4.Police say Donnie Britton was trying to break up a fight between two dogs by hitting them with a board. Both dogs were injured
A Toledo man is accused of animal cruelty after he hit his pit bull with 2 by 4.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:54 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:54:20 GMT
Verizon Wireless customers have been experiencing voice and data issues throughout the day on Saturday in Ohio.Customers in the Sandusky, Akron and Canton areas have seen an increased in dropped calls
Verizon Wireless customers have been experiencing voice and data issues throughout the day on Saturday in Ohio.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:25 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:25:59 GMT
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) - A wanted man with a criminal history dating back nearly 15 years was identified by police Saturday as the masked home invader involved in the death of a Hofstra University student
A wanted man with a criminal history dating back nearly 15 years was identified by police Saturday as the masked home invader involved in the death of a Hofstra University student early Friday morning.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:52:10 GMT
DETROIT (AP) - A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned because there are
A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:42:53 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has required some to study
Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements.