Ohio saw a record-breaking number of tornadoes in 2024. Taxpayers feel the safety and financial impacts.
Ohio’s record-breaking 2024 tornado season left behind more than just destruction: it came with a massive price tag.
As the spring season approaches, 3News Investigates delves into the lasting impacts of severe weather – effects that linger long after the clean-up efforts have concluded.
A personal perspective
Paul Posen will never forget tracking the tornado that tore through his Westlake neighborhood last August.
“I checked the news on my phone, tuned in to Channel 3, and followed the updates on where the tornado was heading,” Posen remembers, shaking his head as he recalls the intensity of the situation. “It was almost right above us.”
Stuck at work, he urged his wife to grab their children and take cover.
“I said, ‘Yep, you probably should get into the utility closet with my 8-year-old, 6-year-old, and 1-year-old,’” he recalled.
When he finally made it home, the damage was overwhelming.
“There were trees down all over the place, one or two power lines — wow, it was really bad,” Posen said.
A historic tornado season
The tornado season of 2024 in Ohio made historical records. The state witnessed a total of 72 tornadoes – surpassing the previous highest count by 12 and tripling the usual annual average. Each county in Northeast Ohio encountered at least one tornado during this active season.
“It was mass chaos, with damage everywhere,” said Avon Lake Fire Chief Jeremy Betsa.
According to the National Weather Service, an EF-1 tornado hit Avon Lake with wind speeds reaching 110 mph. Betsa remembers turning around during his drive home to return to work. He knew it would be a long couple of days.
“The damage done to our community, as well as surrounding communities, was probably the worst weather incident I’ve seen in my time here,” Betsa admits.
The financial toll
When storms hit, first responders are a lifeline, clearing roads and rescuing families. But last year’s stretch of severe weather also came at a cost, with taxpayers footing the bill.
3News Investigates pulled payroll records from fire departments across Northeast Ohio, including Cleveland, Avon Lake, Lakewood, and Rocky River. In the days after major storms, overtime costs surged.
In Avon Lake, overtime costs spiked 30% the week of the storm compared to an average pay period. But when community safety is on the line and lives are potentially at risk, responders aren’t considering dollars and cents.
“There’s zero thought about what it’s going to cost when those incidents are occurring,” Betsa said. “If our residents are in need, money is not even considered.”
The National Centers for Environmental Information puts last year’s destruction — and cost — into perspective. By their count, Ohio reported eight separate billion-dollar severe storms in 2024 — the most since the agency began collecting data in 1980.
From property damage to overtime costs and insurance claims, the price tag for Ohio taxpayers is in the billions.
Insurance comparison service Insurify reports that Ohio has seen the sixth-largest jump in insurance rates over the past three years, at least partially due to severe weather.
3News reached out to the Ohio Department of Insurance for an interview and more information about how severe weather events impact the insurance industry, but they declined our requests. We also communicated with the Ohio Insurance Institute for an interview about the changing insurance landscape, but they did not respond to our request to interview.
If recent weather trends continue, 2024 may not be an outlier but rather a sign of what’s to come for Ohio’s warmer months.
“My 8-year-old said, ‘What did you do last time?’” Posen recounted, now able to laugh about the incident. “And my wife replied, ‘There wasn’t a last time, I’ve never had to do this before!’ It does seem like the storms are stronger.”
Preparing for the next storm
Despite the rising costs, first responders stand ready for whatever comes next.
“This is our job — to help people,” Betsa said. “Firefighting, paramedic skills, it all comes down to helping people at the end of the day.”
Experts urge families to have a severe weather plan that children are familiar with. Practice emergency procedures in advance and keep supplies ready for worst-case scenarios, including flashlights, blankets, and food.
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency has a long list of emergency safety and preparedness steps that families can take ahead of time.
