Severe Thunderstorm Now Possible In Cuyahoga County

CLEVELAND — Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit Cuyahoga County and much of Northeast Ohio on Wednesday afternoon or evening.

A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for northern Ohio and will remain in place through 9 p.m. Wednesday. There is currently an 80 percent chance of storms forming in the afternoon and continuing into the evening.

Strong, gusty, and possibly damaging winds could blow through Avon and Avon Lake during the storms. "A strong thunderstorm could produce dangerous hail, high wind or cause significant damage," Lorain County officials said in an alert sent to residents.

Boaters should plan to return to shore immediately and beachgoers should consider alternative plans as the storms approach.

Rain and storms are likely to continue into Thursday morning and early afternoon, the National Weather Service said. There is a slim chance the rain will persist through Friday morning before drying out on Friday night.