What kind of storm damaged downtown buildings?

[gallery]SANDUSKY — Experts pinpointed the cause for why building materials violently separated from their foundations Thursday in downtown Sandusky, which destroyed structures, damaged cars and struck fear among locals witnessing what happened."From everything we have seen with the photos, and looking back at radar, it looks like straight-line wind damage caused by a severe thunderstorm," according to a message from Christine Riley, a federal spokeswoman with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.Riley made the comments to Erie County emergency management officials, who forwarded the email to the Register."Winds were likely around 60 mph," Riley wrote.Many onlookers and witnesses hanging around downtown Thursday speculated a tornado created the damage.Despite bricks, glass and building chunks tearing through downtown, nobody, remarkably, sustained any injuries as a result of torrential downpours, lasting for about 10 minutes, Sandusky fire Capt. Brian Cowie said.The weather, however, created challenges for property owners and businesses occupying three East Water Street buildings hit hardest: the Biemiller, Barnes and Reber buildings.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel. People look at the damage caused by a strong storm in downtown Sandusky on Thursday, July 26, 2018.