Storm damages Ohio greenhouse operation

Green Circle Growers in Oberlin, Ohio, west of Cleveland, suffered damage to around 15 acres of the 100 acres of greenhouses it operates from a storm that hit the area on July 22 around 10 p.m. National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Kieltka told The Chronicle-Telegram that the damage was caused by straight-line winds of 60-70 mph. The winds shattered thousands of panes of glass causing shards of glass to damage over 100,000 poinsettias and 300,000 mums.

C.J. van Wingerden, whose family owns the company, told the newspaper there was no warning of the damage that occurred. It was the worst damage the operation had encountered since opening in 1970. Van Wingerden said the 60-80 workers of the company’s total 600 employees who were in the greenhouses at the time of the storm were told to take shelter in designated safety areas. He said the damage was very random with some greenhouses not receiving any damage while others lost all of their glass.

The newspaper said the wholesale grower, which sells to big box stores including Walmart and Home Depot, has informed its customers of potential plant shortages due to the losses.