Gusty Winds Cause Widespread Damage, Power Outages Across Mahoning Valley

Thousands left without power as trees, power lines fall across the region

Mar. 14, 2026 at 1:51am

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Strong winds reaching up to 50 mph caused widespread damage and power outages across the Mahoning Valley on Friday. Thousands of homes lost power, trees and power lines were downed, and a family in Warren saw their trailer home destroyed when a tree fell through the roof.

Why it matters

Severe weather events like this can have significant impacts on local communities, causing property damage, disrupting power and transportation, and creating safety hazards. The response and recovery efforts highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and coordination among local authorities.

The details

In Warren, a tree fell through the roof of a trailer home, completely destroying it and forcing the residents, including an 85-year-old man, to find a new place to live. In Newton Falls, a fallen tree blocked the road at Foster MetroPark, leading to the park's closure for the weekend. Power lines and poles were also downed in multiple locations, including State Route 46 in Youngstown, which had to be closed temporarily.

  • The strong winds, reaching up to 50 mph, struck the Mahoning Valley on Friday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Shawn Huff

A resident whose family's trailer home in Warren was destroyed when a tree fell through the roof.

Ohio Edison

The electric utility company that responded to power outages and downed lines across the region.

Austintown Fire Department

The fire department that assisted with the cleanup efforts on State Route 46 in Youngstown.

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What they’re saying

“Fortunately, this tree did not take out my father. He does normally nap during the day, but for today, thank God, he was up watching TV in the front of the house, and it came down completely through it and almost took out my brother too.”

— Shawn Huff, Resident

What’s next

Authorities will continue to assess the damage and coordinate cleanup and restoration efforts in the affected areas. Residents are advised to report any downed power lines or other hazards to the appropriate authorities.

The takeaway

This severe weather event serves as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and the need for communities to be resilient in the face of natural disasters. It also highlights the critical role that utility companies and first responders play in responding to and recovering from such events.