Tornado touches down in Trumbull County

Staff report

For about 20 minutes in Trumbull County, it seemed like deja vu.

A tornado touched down close to Route 7 near Hartford Township in Trumbull County shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday.

Tornado warnings and strong storms with wind and rain rotated across Trumbull County, threatening communities including Cort-land, Howland, Niles, Vienna, Hartford, Orangeville, Girard and Hubbard before moving into Mercer County, Pa. There were reports of wind damage to trees and wires.

The storm passed through the area, and the last of three tornado warnings issued throughout the evening was lifted by the National Weather Service by 8:18 p.m. No injuries or structural damage were reported as a result of the storm.

At the Eastwood Mall area in Niles, ominous clouds seemed to be descending for a time. Just up the road from the mall in May 1985, a tornado ripped through Newton Falls, Niles and Hubbard in Trumbull County, as well as Wheatland. Pa., killing 19 people in Trumbull and Mercer counties, injuring more than 500 and causing several days of no power, water or fuel. Property damage was estimated at $140 million.

Andrew DiPaolo, a meteorologist for 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, said Thursday’s storms should be the worst of what the weekend has to offer. No severe storms are expected throughout the weekend, with only a chance of isolated showers Saturday and Sunday, which is expected to be bright and sunny.