PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio — Memorial Day weekend is off to a rough start for residents and businesses in Northwest Ohio and the Lake Erie Islands, which are always a popular destination on holiday weekends.
News 5 Meteorologist Katie McGraw has the latest weather updates below:
The National Weather Service is advising all travelers to heed road closure signs and stay away from flooded beaches and docks.
Cedar Point
The amusement park closed at 2 p.m. due to weather conditions.
Power outages
4 PM: More than 20,000 customers across lakeshore counties are experiencing power outages Friday as strong winds and high water cause downed power lines and trees.
Here are the current number of power outages in the lakeshore counties.
- Ashtabula: 1,433
- Cuyahoga: 21,619
- Erie: 84
- Huron: 84
- Lake: 8,913
- Lorain: 776
Clickhere for the latest power outages in your area.
Put-in-Bay
In Put-in-Bay, Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial is closed for the remainder of the day Friday because the grounds are flooded.
Due to the wind, rain, and waves the grounds are flooded. The visitor center and all visitor services are closed for the remainder of the day. Stay safe out there. pic.twitter.com/OtYyigiJSG
— Perry's Victory& IPM (@PerrysVIPM) May 28, 2021
At the Miller Ferry, co-owner Billy Market captured a video of severe flooding along the shoreline in Put-in-Bay. He told News 5 that the flooding near the ferry and dock is "pretty gnarly."
Watch the video of the flooding he posted on Facebook below:
Port Clinton
The City of Port Clinton declared a Flood Disaster State of Emergency until further notice.
The city said many roads are impassable due to high water, downed trees and power lines. Manholes covers and catch basins are becoming detached throughout the community, causing hazards to pedestrians. All drivers are asked to stay off the street until further notice.
Streets and nearby docking areas of the Fisherman's Wharf are flooded. Water can be seen raging by docked boats. Clickhere to view the video.
Earlier today, an officer from the Port Clinton Police Department rescued a girl stranded in flooded water.
"Our Fire Department reports water as high as 40 (inches) near Perry's Monument," the department said.
The Grande Parade scheduled to happen during the Port Clinton Walleye Fest has been canceled. Main Street Port Clinton said the city is working to determine if it can be rescheduled.
Ferry rides and boat trips canceled
Strong winds have already prompted ferry services to cancel some of their trips.
RELATED: Strong winds may ruin your holiday weekend plans as some Lake Erie island ferries cancel service
Over in Sandusky
There's flooding along the shoreline.
We’ve got some flooding along the shoreline too pic.twitter.com/2l99QpMKJm
— Tom Horsman (@TomHorsman) May 28, 2021
In Northeast Ohio
Viewers are reporting trees and branches down from Cleveland to Ashtabula.
In Painesville Township, West Jackson is closed at Doan due to a downed utility pole.
In Parma, motorists should avoid the area of Day and Ames drives due to down powerlines.
Earlier today, the National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory for Ottawa, Lucas, Sandusky, Erie, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake and Ashtabula Lakeshore counties.
The wind advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. Saturday.
Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. There are already power outages across Northeast Ohio as winds have knocked down power lines and trees.
The NWS said the strongest winds are expected along the immediate Lake Erie shoreline.
And the impacts are being felt east out as well. Due to the marine forecast, Sunset Harbor and Grille at Fairport Harbor in Lake County is closed Friday and Saturday.
Graduation postponed
Lakewood High School's commencement ceremony, scheduled for this evening, has been postponed to June 4.
Game postponed
The Akron RubberDucks game scheduled for today has been postponed and will be part of a doubleheader on Saturday.
Sandusky-Ottawa County
The Sandusky Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol has received reports of high water in Ottawa County on State Route 2 between State Route 590 and State Route 163 in Oak Harbor.
High water has also been reported on county and township roads in the general vicinity, OSHP said.
Drivers are asking all travelers to avoid the area until further notice. ODOT is currently in the process of setting up a detour to close this stretch of State Route 2.
Medina
The Medina Square Farmers Market has been canceled for Saturday due to inclement weather. It plans to return on June 5.
Weather warnings
The National Weather Service has issued a Gale Warning for Lake Erie where waves are expected to reach 12 feet ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
For the Gale Warning, Northeast gales to 35 knots with gusts up to 45 knots and waves 7-12 feet are expected. The Gale Warning is in effect from Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday. Read more here.
A Lakeshore Flood Warning is in effect for Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Erie counties.
A Beach Hazards Statement is in effect until Saturday for the entire Lake Erie lakeshore.
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