Straight line winds have caused major problems throughout the Scioto Valley Friday
Ross County was under a severe thunderstorm watch until 10pm Friday evening and more than 460,000 AEP Ohio customers were without power in the state, after winds gusting up to 70 miles per hour or higher slammed into the area Friday, causing numerous reports of downed trees and power lines.
This caused Ross County Sheriff George Lavender to issue a "Level 2 Travel Emergency", which meant motorists were ordered to stay off roadways, unless their travel is deemed "necessary". That emergency was lifted just after 9pm.
Scattered reports of fires, which could possibly be related to lightning strikes or even arcing power lines that were blown down.
Power outages were also being reported into Pike County from wind damaging electric lines.