Storms slam southern Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON – Storms bringing frequent lightning, heavy rain and fierce winds put a damper on the Labor Day holiday in Knox County.

Just before 4:30 p.m., a tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Cleveland for the northern part of the county. Sirens wailed as radar indicated a tornado between Bellville in Richland County and North Liberty in Knox County. No confirmed touchdown or reports from the weather service.

Shortly around 5:45 p.m., sirens wailed again, as another tornado was indicated on radar by the weather service. This time, the storm was southeast of Mount Vernon near Gambier. Heavy rain, gusty winds and lightning caused the power to flicker across the county. Widespread damage to homes and yards were reported across Knox County, but no confirmed tornado touchdown.

Downed trees and powerlines closed sections of State Route 586, State Route 661 and State Route 13 as residents and motorists had to contend with down branches and debris. American Electric Power reported over 2,000 without power around 7 p.m. Monday. The storms had knocked out power to 19,000 homes in the region according to AEP.

The power outage forced the closure of Mount Vernon Nazarene University offices and the Esther Jetter Preschool until noon Tuesday. Power restoration was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

State Route 13 was closed through the Tuesday morning, as well as State Route 661 just south of International Paper and Blackjack Road and power was still out to 800 in the city and 1,200 in the rural areas.