Wind Storm 04.28.2011

Photos of the damage from the wind storms of 04.28.2011. All photos are the property of the Lakewood Observer, Inc. ©2011

(click photo to enlarge)

  • At around 5am the roof blew off the Commadore Club Apartments.
  • As I walked around a familiar voice yelled, "Jim stay away down lines." It was Fire Chief Scott Gillman out looking at damage.
  • The entire west side of Lakewood was without power at 5am.
  • One of many trees to hit a house.
  • The Lakewood Fire Department arrives and starts chopping up the tree before light.
  • With a long exposure image you can see the damage to the house.
  • Meanwhile on Lakeland another tree down on a house and car.
  • As daybreak hits, I run into School Board President Matt Markling out surveying the damage. When he sees this couple hundred pound branch down from a city tree in Lincoln Schoolyard, and the powerlines next to it, he calls off school.

  • The wind created havoc on all of the streets waiting for trash collection. This is Manor Park.

  • Another tree down on Manor Park.

  • Storm clouds rolling by at an icredible speed.

  • Up ahead on Detroit a police officer guards the street.

  • Well, that is Chief Malley in that car, guarding a live wire that is sparking.

  • Live wire, one of many around the area.

  • Another tree down, with the fire department already there on clean-up.

  • The city is filled with silver maples, that are all about 60-80 years old which is the end of their lifespan.

  • When you add in thei shallow root structure, and ants, we have a bunch of trees all over the city that will continue to fall.

  • Here is one of the very real dangers. Over 100' from that tree, this tree limb was stuck in the ground nearly 10". That would have killed or severly wound anyone it would have hit.

  • Another tree over a house and car.

  • More shots of the roof from the Commodrore Club.

  • Big branch down on my rental.

  • Driving down Lake Road, I see a news truck off in the distance.

  • Channel 5 WEWS/ABC is covering storm damage.

  • They are out covering the news of recent storm damage in Lakewood, Ohio. Looks familiar?

  • Hey, it is Paul Kiska from Channel 5 News! Going live in Lakewood. When I spoke with Paul later he mentioned seeing the tree online. When I gave him the a copy of the latest paper, he said, "yeah this one! Thanks a tip of the hat to Alicia Bowen for posting her storm photos!

  • Something we have not seen recently. Blue skies and the Sun.