Wednesday, August 25, 1999
Storms knock down trees, power lines
Rain 'not a drought-buster'
BY PHILLIP PINA and EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Thunderstorms swept through the Tristate on Tuesday, knocking down trees and power lines and possibly setting a Roselawn home on fire.
The storms dropped as much as 11/2 inches of rain in Cincinnati, with 21/2 inches reported in Wilmington. Hail measuring 11/2 inches in diameter fell in Wyoming and Hartwell. Winds and lightning knocked out power in patches throughout the Tristate.
Before Tuesday's rain, the region's year-to-date rainfall had been nearly 5 inches below normal. Officially at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, 0.4 inch of rain had fallen.
Welcome as the rain was, “It's not a drought-buster,” said John Franks, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
The region needs a steady rain, over a few days, to alleviate drought concerns, said fellow meteorologist Mike Ryan. During quick downpours such as Tuesday's, the water will run off and not get a chance to soak in to the thirsty ground.
Tuesday's storms knocked down power lines across the region, leaving between 10,000 and 15,000 Cinergy customers without power during parts of the day. The main culprits were lightning and the wind knocking tree branches into power lines, said Kathy Meinke, Cinergy spokeswoman.
Lightning is likely to blame for a fire at a Roselawn home Tuesday afternoon, causing at least $50,000 in damage. No one was injured in the two-alarm blaze in the 1700 block of Stonybrook Drive.
Cincinnati District Fire Chief Steve Kluesener said the fire started during the most severe part of a thunderstorm, and its location of origin — the attic — led him to suspect lightning was the cause.
The second floor of the home was gutted, and the first floor received heavy smoke and water damage. Flames could be seen shooting through the roof.
Showers could continue today but with decreasing likelihood, Mr. Franks said.
Ben L. Kaufman contributed to this report.
Tristate smoking, deaths top averages
Hate group targets Anderson
Hundreds of vets' graves overgrown
Kings Island closes second ride
Road work an obstacle to Riverfest
Votruba decries NKU's funding
Judge halts voucher program
Most Americans oppose full school vouchers
What's Your Opinion: Questions of fairness
Chief: Fire response was earlier
Ex-guard beats felony rap involving girl
GET TO IT
Jurisdiction argued in Justin hearing
Ross teens start school on sad note
Storms knock down trees, power lines
Birth control options
Contraceptive for males is still in works
Most common contraceptive methods
Buddhist monks perform for world peace
If you go: 'Mystical Music and Dance of Tibet'
McKechnie working on new show at Playhouse
'Blue's Clues' host very much alive
Agencies doing own pot testing
Bell fighting area-code change
Boone Co. citizens get a say in police study
Deputy city manager no longer 'interim'
Escapee from county jail to do more time
Forest Park paper ends run
Gravelrama ready to roll
Judge to say whether historic building may be torn down
Kenton proposal: Regulate sex-oriented businesses
Ky. GOP gains ground
Marchers protest Ohio death penalty
Mason to double size of park
Mental health clients find pals in program
Middletown mall burden, experts say
Mostly white jury chosen for Miami U. trial
Officer hurt in scrape with teen
Schools opt to build new rather than renovate old
Sewer fight shifts to site test
Six hurt in blast near Germantown
TRISTATE DIGEST
Union Twp. to pay for aerial map
Video seller pleads no contest
Video store is investigated
Warren to fight Deerfield over water, sewer plan
