One Clermont County resident says a pushy stranger approached him in a tornado debris field off Ohio 132, and local tradespeople are urging homeowners to vet any cleanup crew before signing a contract.

David Bray told WLWT he was clearing debris when an uninvited man began pressuring him about cleanup services. Bray said the man seemed focused on insurance money, not on helping.

"They're just waiting to prey on poor people. That's basically what it comes down to. They know that insurance money's involved. They're going to be there to get it," Bray said.

He added that the man was "way too pushy" and that a more professional approach might have earned a longer conversation.

Ricky Penter, whom WLWT described as a local tree removal expert, recommended homeowners ask three or four neighbors who they've used for tree work and check Google reviews before hiring anyone. He cautioned that not every damaged tree needs to come down. Pines, in particular, can often be saved. But leaning trees near homes are a different story, Penter said, because weeks of heavy rain have left the ground saturated well below the surface, making root systems unstable.

Local roofer Garey Faulkner echoed the advice, suggesting homeowners also search Facebook for contractor reviews. Both Penter and Faulkner stressed one non-negotiable step: require proof of insurance and workers' compensation from any crew before signing a contract.

Storm assessment

The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado touched down in Amelia around 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, and tracked northeast to New Richmond by 2:57 p.m. The storm snapped and uprooted trees across Ohio Township and Monroe Township, damaged a home on Mott Road, and knocked out power to more than 10,000 Duke Energy customers in the region. New Richmond sits roughly 20 miles southeast of Loveland, and the same storm system moved through the broader Clermont County area that includes both Loveland and Milford.

No official scam warning from the Ohio Attorney General's office or the Clermont County Sheriff's Office specific to this storm had been issued as of Thursday, July 24.

Residents who suspect contractor fraud can contact the Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section at 800-282-0515.