Severe storm damage reported across region - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

A massive wind driven thunderstorm has ripped across the region this evening. Damages have been reported in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Estimated wind speeds in excess of 70 mph have toppled trees and power lines across the region.

Kanawha County Emergency Services says the majority of Kanawha County is without power.  Power lines and trees are down throughout the County and officials urge you to avoid all power lines as they may still be live lines and dangerous. 

Since 7 p.m., Metro 911 has received 1,917 calls as a result of the storm event.  High winds and rain has resulted in damage throughout the county.  Emergency Officials are assessing the damage.  

With the power outage throughout the County, Emergency Officials are determining where shelters can be opened for those without power and need assistance due to extreme heat.  If you have a safe route and can seek shelter elsewhere at friends or families homes with power, you are encouraged to do so.  It is likely that the power will remain off possibly, for the next few days.

Cabell County Emergency Services says they are currently back to normal operational levels and calls have leveled off.  More than 800 calls, including overflow calls from surrounding counties went to Cabell County 911 operators and nearly 400 were calls that officials tried to send someone on to check.

Ohio Department of Transportation reports the following:

Numerous routes in the ODOT District 9 area are restricted due to downed trees, power lines and/or debris following Friday night's wave of severe thunderstorms.

Currently, state Route 221 and state Route 763 in Brown County and state Route 93 and state Route 788 in Jackson County remain closed due downed power lines, and the closures are anticipated to be in effect through the overnight.

In addition, crews in all District 9 counties continue their patrols to clear trees and debris from partially closed or blocked roadways. Areas that have been hardest hit include Adams, Brown, Jackson, Lawrence and Scioto counties, where all routes have been affected and most are restricted to one lane at various locations due trees and/or power lines.

In addition, traffic signals are not in operation at many locations due to power outages. Signal electricians are responding to sites across the area; however, motorists are reminded to treat these intersections as four-way stops.

ODOT crews will continue to clear the state highways during the overnight; however, motorists are reminded of the need for additional caution, paying heed to debris and power lines.

Other damage reports include the following:  

- Multiple trees down in Ashland, Ky.

- Damage to vendors and tents at Saint Albans River Fest, including large up-rooted trees.

- An airplane is reported to have been flipped over at Yeager Airport in Charleston.

- A fireworks tent has been destroyed in Kanawha City.

- Reports of a tree trapping residents inside of a house in Dunbar.  

- In Eastern Kentucky, U.S. 23 in Greenup County is blocked in both directions between mile markers two and three due to down power poles.  

- Multiple reports of trees down in Institute.

- In Jackson and Scioto counties, ODOT says most state routes are either blocked by trees or are down to one lane.

- In Wirt County, the National Weather Service reports a front porch ripped off of a house. several large trees uprooted. power pole in road on Route 14.

- In Huntington a massive tree fell across Fifth Avenue blocking the road near several churches at 11th Street.

- In Huntington major tree limbs fell around Ritter Park.

- In Culloden a National Weather Service employee reports 36-inch trees broken and down with trees on a hillside all appearing to be down.

- In Milton a viewer submitted a photo of a roof that was damaged on the garage of the Heck Funeral Home.  

- In Huntington the front canopy sign on Glenn's Sporting Goods was ripped off the front of the building.  

Click here to see storm pictures that have been sent to 13 News by viewers.