The severe winds posed a significant risk to the safety of the event's infrastructure and participants. Organizers were concerned about the stability of the balloon net, which had to be reinforced to withstand the high winds. The gusts also created hazardous conditions in downtown Cleveland, with reports of objects like newspaper coin boxes being lifted and spun by the wind. Despite these challenges, the event proceeded without major incidents, but the weather underscored the unpredictability and potential dangers of outdoor events.