When it's not storming and flooding, there's smog. How do you like summer so far?
Summer began Sunday under a smog alert. The first full day on Monday brought early-evening thunderstorms, power outages, felled trees and wires across the Tristate, and flooding in Adams County.
The first week of summer now includes a smog alert that has been extended through at least sundown Friday.
Sarah Brugger at the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services said Monday's ozone levels, helped in part by Monday's storms, were not threatening.
The West Union area of Adams County got about 3 inches of rain in an hour Monday, causing some minor flooding. At the peak of the storm, 5,000 customers lost power, said Cinergy spokesman Steve Brash.
The largest concentration was in the Kings Mills and Mason areas of Warren County. All major circuits were back in service by 7 p.m. As of midevening, about 1,000 customers remained without power.
Cinergy anticipated all would be restored near midnight.
YOU CAN HELP
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We're prisoners of geography and the weather, but there are a few things Tristate residents can do to minimize the ozone problem:
Drive less and commute on Metro or TANK buses.
Use gas-powered lawn tools only after 6 p.m.
Don't refuel vehicles until after 6 p.m., when the sun is low in the sky and escaping fumes are a less critical problem.
Get your gas cap checked free at any BP ProCare. If it leaks, you'll receive a certificate for a free replacement from NAPA Auto Parts.
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The rest of the week is likely to be hot and mostly dry. The National Weather Service at Wilmington, Ohio, predicted mostly sunny days through Friday with temperatures in the high 80s and low 90s.
Hot sunny days are perfect for cooking emissions from vegetation, vehicles, industries and other sources into breath-taking ozone. The standard health warning also is being issued: When ozone counts go up, stay inside or restrict outside activity if you have breathing problems.
During Monday's storm, two motorists escaped serious injury when a 100-foot tree fell on their cars in Clifton about 4:45 p.m. The motorists were driving north on Clifton Avenue and were stopped in traffic near McAlpin Avenue when they "heard a cracking sound," said Cincinnati Fire Division Capt. Jay Boeing.
"They said they heard it cracking, but they were in traffic and couldn't move," said Firefighter Barry Taylor.
The limbs of the trees severely damaged the rear of both cars. The two drivers were not injured. "They were very lucky," Capt. Boeing said.
