Storm causes major property damage to Hubbard homeowners

Dozens of homes were damaged and thousands are without power after a severe thunderstorm rolled through the Mahoning Valley Monday afternoon. 

Storms hit hardest in the City of Hubbard, where several homeowners faced fallen trees and damaged properties. While no one was injured, people living in and around Hubbard are now on cleanup duty this evening.

"It sounded like a freight train coming through my house," described Steve Scott of Grace St. in Hubbard, after a tree in his backyard fell onto his roof. "It started picking up bad really fast and by the time we got down to the basement, it was just in time to hear the tree hit."

Homeowners are now faced with downed power lines, trees falling on homes, and major damage to fences and yards. This comes as most of Hubbard was without power Monday, as dozens of businesses including Subway closed early from the storm. The power has since been restored to the majority of Hubbard businesses and homes. 

"The electric blew off the side of the house," said Bob Lias of Center St. in Hubbard. "The whole electric line. The tree came down next door came down and took the electric wires off of the house. It was heavy winds, I guess. I don't know what it was but it looks like I got it the worst of it."

A playset and trampoline were also damaged at a home along Grace St. when a tree on the property collapsed. 

"I was sitting in the bedroom upstairs, watching the rain out the window," explained Rusty Hutchings of W. Park Ave. in Hubbard. "I thought a tree landed on my house but it was my wife's car."

"One of the neighbors or somebody said something about lightning that hit the pole," Hutchings added. "So, I don't know if it hit the pole and hit the tree and split it in half. I have no idea."

It was all hands on deck for Eagle Joint Fire District crews as they checked downed lines.

"We had our staffed firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs out and about," explained Firefighter Jason Miller. "We also had our off-duty crews respond. I don't think there was a single truck left in the station."

Fortunately, no reported injuries were reported in Hubbard as the storm moved on.

"It could have been so much worse," Scott added. "We could have been standing in the backyard. It happened that fast."

Several homes are still without power Monday evening. Visit FirstEnergy's website to gather wait time information.