Hurricane Sandy: Northeast Ohio Begins to See Impact

Residents in Northeast Ohio are beginning to see the impact of Hurricane Sandy as high winds cause power outages across the area and huge waves on Lake Erie.

As of early Monday evening, no power outages were reported in Cuyahoga Falls.

According to deputy service director, Teresa Hazlett, the city has taken preparedness measures and will be ready in the event of one or multiple outages throughout the course of the storm. 

"An emergency operations center has been set up at the Natatorium and is on standby," said Hazlett. 

If the need exists to activate the center, Cuyahoga Falls Electric System employees will be able to communicate with utility workers and Cuyahoga Falls Police, Fire and EMS to coordinate repair efforts.

Anywhere from 30 to 45 of the city's electric company employees could be mobilized to handle repairs, said Hazlett. 

To report a power outage, call Cuyahoga Falls Police dispatch at 330-928-2181.

More coverage: Hurricane Sandy in Northeast Ohio

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for all of Northeast Ohio effective until 4 p.m. Tuesday.

These winds will be sustained at 30 to 40 miles per hour with gusts of up to 65 miles per hour, the NWS predicts.

In addition, a lakeshore flooding warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday. Waves on the lake could reach up to 22 feet high and the lake will rise three feet over normal levels. 

A flood watch is in effect for all of Northeast Ohio as we face steady and sometimes heavy rain through Tuesday evening.

All warnings in effect for Northeast Ohio, 6 p.m. Monday:

• High Wind Warning, noon Monday to Tuesday at 4 p.m.
• Flood Watch, late Sunday night to Tuesday evening
• Lakeshore Flood Warning, noon Monday to Tuesday at 8 p.m.
• Flood Warning, Cuyahoga River at Independence, Chagrin River at Willoughby and Grand River at Painesville

Are you seeing storm damage? Check out our photos and upload your own here.