A McMechan resident submitted this photo of a downed tree and damaged cars in Marshall County to Tom Hart, Marshall County EMA director. (Photo provided)

Strong winds swept through the Ohio Valley on Friday, complicating emergency response efforts, causing multiple brush fires, knocking down trees and power lines and leaving thousands without electricity across several counties.

The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh issued a high wind advisory through midnight Friday as emergency crews dealt with scattered outages and damage across West Virginia and Ohio.

The 911 Centers throughout the region were flooded with calls reporting downed trees, utility lines and brush fires sparked by live wires.

In Marshall County, emergency services responded to dozens of incidents.

“Fire departments, sheriff’s department, EMS and the West Virginia Department of Highways have been busy all afternoon and evening, Tom Hart, Marshall County EMA director, said.

One incident involved a tree falling onto a car with a person still inside in Marshall County. Officials said the driver was unharmed.

Ohio County reported similar challenges, with officials working through numerous calls related to downed power lines and trees, according to Lou Vargo, Ohio County EMA director.

Barnesville Fire and EMS responded to a male injured by wind-spun debris at a well pad on Tuckahoe Road in neighboring Noble County, according to social media reports.

Thousands of residents were without power Friday afternoon. Harrison County had 3,576 customers affected, Jefferson County 8,401, Belmont County 8,550, Hancock County 4,654, Brooke County 3,057, Ohio County 3,215, Marshall County 1,600 and Wetzel County 580, according to poweroutage.com. Utility crews were working throughout the day and evening to restore service.

Downed trees and power lines were reported across the region, from Moundsville and Wheeling in West Virginia to Barnesville and St. Clairsville in Belmont County in Ohio, causing road closures, outages and multiple brush fires. Some residents reported significant damage to homes.

Fire departments, sheriff’s offices, EMS and highway crews have all been mobilized and are continuing to respond to wind-related calls.

During high winds, the National Weather Service recommends staying indoors, moving to an interior room away from windows, and securing outdoor objects. If driving, slow down, keep two hands on the wheel, and avoid high-profile vehicles. If caught outside, take cover immediately near a sturdy building.