News: Lorain County damage caused by a downburst

CLEVELAND -- The National Weather Service says a downburst was responsible for Friday Night's damage in Lorain County.

A storm survey in north central Lorain County Tuesday afternoon found the cause of the damage from the severe thunderstorms that occurred Friday evening April 11th was from a downburst.

A downburst is a strong downward rush of air up to 100 m.p.h. which produces a blast of damaging wind on or close to the surface.

Meteorologist Gary Garnet of the National Weather Service in Cleveland says the main damage was southeast of Amherst to near Elyria.

The three mile long path started near Route 58 and the Turnpike. It continued east, northeast just north of the Turnpike producing scattered pockets of damage before ending near Midway Mall.

Power lines were blown down which caused the Turnpike to be closed for a period of time following the storms.

Wind speed estimates from the damage indicated gusts of 80-90 m.p.h.