Crews are working diligently around the Kent State University Kent Campus to clean up debris left by a severe thunderstorm that blew through much of northeast Ohio and into northwest Pennsylvania.
Tornado warnings were issued to 14 Northeast Ohio counties, including Portage County, Thursday, Aug. 24, into early Friday morning. The Record-Courier reported that one gust of wind topped 80 mph near Kent during the storm.
“We have been in clearing roadways and walks since around 1:30 a.m.," Rebekkah Berryhill, grounds manager, said. "We are asking the university community to stay away from any downed trees and be more observant than usual for potential hanging branches. We will be cleaning up hangers and brush for the next week.”
The storm caused damage to multiple parts of Kent State’s campus, impacting the May 4 Memorial, Hilltop Drive and the Peatland Bog behind DeWeese Health Center the most. The campus also lost more than 35 trees ranging in size, according to Berryhill.
“The grounds department will continue to push through this event with the help of all our campus partners,” Berryhill said.
