MiddletownJournal.com

BUTLER COUNTY — A severe thunderstorm late Tuesday afternoon knocked out power and caused large trees to fall in several parts of Butler County.

After the storm blew through the area at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, emergency crews responded to several reports of large trees blocking roadways and power lines that were hanging low. On Ohio 128 in Ross Twp., a vehicle became trapped when downed power lines and a large fallen tree was blocking both directions, according to the Butler County Sheriff's Office.

In West Chester Twp., police were dealing with traffic by Tylersville and Cox roads after a power outage knocked out the traffic signals, dispatchers said. A large tree had also fallen and was causing traffic problems on Driftwood and Amberwood courts, officials said.

At least two large trees were uprooted in Fairfield. Witnesses said a large tree fell on a vehicle that was parked in a driveway in the 400 block of Walter Avenue. Another large tree fell on a front yard and was partially blocking a driveway in the 5000 block of River Road, witnesses said.

High wind gusts during the storm were reported at around 60 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters predicted that rain and thunderstorms would continue overnight before clearing up by Wednesday evening, July 9.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2122 or rwilson@coxohio.com.