High winds cause widespread power failures and property damage

Strong winds and soaking rain lashed the Valley New Year's Eve, resulting in power outages and serious damage to people's homes and property.

At one point during the night, some 13-thousand customers were without power in the four-county area.

Trumbull County alone had more than 50 reports of downed trees and power lines.  

Chief Meteorologist Eric Wilhelm had forecast strong winds and potential problems. 

For some, the wind did more than knock out power.

On Nash Avenue in Niles, a large tree crashed down on both family cars at the home of Heather Pannunzio.

"It was really loud. We didn't know what it was because you're in the house, but it sounded like the whole back of the house got ripped off. My son's room is on the back side of the house, so I ran upstairs to check on his room," Pannunzio said. 

Heather is thankful the tree missed the house.

That was not the case in Canfield, where a large tree smashed through the roof of a home on Sleepy Hollow Drive.

Paige Wray says she was watching TV in the next room.

"And then I heard the crash and my first instinct was to protect my dogs and see if my mom was O.K.," Wray said. 

Large limbs of the tree pierced the roof of the kitchen.

Fortunately, no one was injured. 

By mid-morning New Year's Day, energy crews had restored power to most customers., but for some, it's now a matter of costly repairs and clean-up.