March is roaring in like a lion with severe thunderstorms that woke many people up early Wednesday morning throughout the WKYC viewing area.
The National Weather Service had issued multiple weather alerts, including a tornado warning around 6 a.m. that was in effect for approximately 45 minutes in portions of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Summit and Portage counties.
Emergency alert sirens were sounding in communities all throughout the regions impacted by the tornado warning.
Severe thunderstorm warnings and severe thunderstorm watches were also in effect for most of Northeast Ohio.
In Geauga County, a roof was peeled off the Red, Wine & Brew on Mayfield Road in Chesterland.
See photos from the storm's aftermath:
The University of Akron posted a warning on Twitter to its students as the storm approached around 6 a.m.
Tornado Warning issued. :: TORNADO WARNING issued for MAIN CAMPUS. Seek shelter at once, away from windows, on lowest level.
— University of Akron (@uakron) March 1, 2017
The storm also knocked out electricity to thousands of people with downed power lines and other damage causing some traffic issues.
I'm hearing the commute near University Circle is a mess this morning because of traffic lights being out. @wkyc
— Danielle Wiggins (@DaniWKYC) March 1, 2017
Meanwhile, several dozen schools were either closed or delayed due to the nasty conditions and power outages.
- FORECAST | Extended 7-day weather outlook
- DOWNLOAD | Free WKYC weather app
We carried live weather coverage on Facebook:
