Ohio Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency for Mahoning County on July 6 following a destructive weekend of severe weather that caused widespread damage across the region.
      The declaration came after a short-lived EF-1 tornado touched down in Canfield Township on the afternoon of July 5, with peak winds of about 95 mph, and a macroburst producing straight-line winds of up to 90 mph Yahoo+1. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado’s impact and the macroburst’s severe straight-line damage. While some areas saw tornado damage, NWS officials later determined that in certain locations, such as Boardman, the most severe destruction was from the high-speed straight-line winds The Morning Journal+1.
      The storms hit Boardman, Austintown, Canfield, and Poland hardest, causing downed trees and utility poles
      Power outages affected thousands of customers, with FirstEnergy reporting about 26,000 in Mahoning County alone.
      Roof and siding damage to homes were reported at Mill Creek Park’s golf course where down trees impacted virtually all of the 36 holes.
      There were no reported injuries or fatalities.
      DeWine toured the affected areas with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, meeting with local leaders, first responders, and homeowners.
      He emphasized that the declaration would expedite state assistance for cleanup and recovery and allows all relevant state agencies to deploy services, equipment, supplies and personnel immediately.
      Local emergency management teams are assessing the full extent of the damage. Residents are urged to document all property damage for insurance and stay clear of downed power lines while utility crews work.
      The Ohio Department of Transportation and other state agencies remain in the area to assist with debris removal, road repairs, and utility restoration.