[[Image:Ohio Fireworks Derecho.jpg|thumb|400px|Map and track of the Ohio Fireworks Derecho]]The '''Ohio Fireworks Derecho''' (or also the '''Ohio [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] [[derecho]] of 1969'''), was a severe [[wind]] event that took place during the evening hours of July 4, 1969. It affected the northern half of the state of [[Ohio]] as well as portions of [[Pennsylvania]], southern [[Michigan]] and extreme southwestern [[New York (state)| New York]]. It was one of the numerous events of that type that hit a region in the United States during its national holiday, the others being in [[Independence Day Derecho of 1977| 1977]], [["More Trees Down" Derecho| 1980]] and [[Boundary Waters-Canadian Derecho| 1999]].
==Event==
The event started out during the afternoon hours as a line of [[thunderstorms]] developed in southern [[Michigan]]. At about 6 p.m., as it reached the southern suburbs of the [[Detroit]] [[Metro Detroit|Metro]] area in [[Lenawee County, Michigan| Lenawee]] and [[Genesee County, Michigan| Genesee]] counties, it quickly became a major [[derecho]]. It entered northwestern [[Ohio]] near the [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]] area packing winds that locally exceeded {{convert|100|mph|km/h|0}} which downed scores of trees all over the city.
Moving at a fairly quick pace, the [[mesoscale convective vortex|mesoscale]] then hit the [[Sandusky, Ohio|Sandusky]] and [[Cleveland, Ohio|Cleveland]] areas creating extensive damage to some of its suburbs, including [[Lakewood, Ohio|Lakewood]], [[Rocky River, Ohio| Rocky River]] and [[Linndale, Ohio| Linndale]]. Major damage was also reported over communities right along the [[Lake Erie]] shoreline. Winds also peaked near {{convert|100|mph|km/h|0}} in Cleveland, causing extensive power outages.
At about midnight, after affecting northeastern Ohio and the [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]] area, the storm weakened and dissipated near the borders of Pennsylvania, [[West Virginia]] and [[Maryland]].
==Aftermath==
This derecho event, although short compared to other events, was one of the deadliest ever. Eighteen people were killed in Ohio alone, including seven in Cleveland. Many of them were from toppled trees. There were also several fatalities over Lake Erie. Several people were watching holiday [[fireworks]] from their boats. At least three people drowned after they were thrown off their boats by the violent winds.. Over 100 boats were destroyed or flipped over on Lake Erie. There were also injuries reported in western Pennsylvania.
Today an exhibit stands in Edgewater Park (part of [[Cleveland Lakefront State Park]]) in Cleveland commemorating the event.
==An eyewitness account==
"July fourth, 1969"
Our group of seventeen adults and teenagers was spending a hot summer holiday at Cedar Point Amusement Park outside Sandusky, Ohio. Most of our group were from out of state and had never been to a park like this one. They wanted to see everything.
After criss-crossing the main causeway for several hours, they decided to ride the "Space Needle." This ride took you up ten stories and rotated twice before bringing you back down. On that ride we saw the line of extremely dark clouds on the northern horizon over Lake Erie. Since showers had been predicted, we didn't pay much attention.
Less than two hours later, the storm slammed into the little peninsula. Everything that was not secured was blown ahead of the winds that we now know were in excess of one hundred miles an hour.
To the tune of concession stands being banged shut, we ran for the picnic pavilions near the front gate. Once there, we watched the storm which included lightning and waterspouts dancing over the lake.
When the park closed, about three hours later, we started the adventure of finding our cars. Carrying two eighty quart coolers, and what had been dry clothing and towels, it only took another half an hour.
Our trip back to Mansfield was interrupted by inland flooding and power outages. After a night in a, thankfully, open Baptist Church, we followed a few flooded roads until we arrived just after noon the next day (July fifth).
==External links==
* [http://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/casepages/jul41969page.htm NOAA Webpage on the derecho]
* [http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=8_tS2Vw13FcC&dat=19690705&printsec=frontpage The Toledo Blade's coverage of the aftermath, July 5, 1969]
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